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MAJOR-GENERAL BROCK. 
(From miniature painting by ■/. Hudson.) 
Copyrighted in the U. S. A. and Canada. 

— From Nursey's "story of Isaac brock" (Biiggs). 
By kind parmiseion of Miss Mary Asnes D'itzGibborj and Miss Sara Mickle 



BROCK CENTENARY 

1812-1912 



ACCOUNT OF THE CELEBRATION AT 

QUEENSTON HEIGHTS, ONTARIO, 

ON THE 12th OCTOBER, 1912 



Edited by 

ALEXANDER FRASER, LL.D., Litt.D., 
F.S.A., Scot. (Edin.) 



(SECOND EDITION) 



TORONTO 

PRINTED AND PUBLISHED FOR THE COMMITTEE BY 

WILLIAM B R I G G S 
1913 



DEDICATED 

TO 

THE DESCENDANTS OF THE DEFENDERS 



Copyright, Canada, 1913, by 
Alexander Fraser 



PREFATORY NOTE 

The object of this publication is to preserve an 
account of the Celebration, at Queenston Heights, 
of the Brock Centenary, in a more convenient and 
permanent form than that afforded by the reports 
(admirable as they are) in the local newspapers. 

Celebrations were held in several places in On- 
tario, notably at St. Thomas, where Dr. J. H. Coyne 
delivered a fervently patriotic address. Had re- 
ports of these been available, extended reference 
would have been gladly and properly accorded to 
them in this book. Considerable effort, involving 
delay in publication, was made to secure the name 
of every person who attended at Queenston Heights 
in a representative capacity, and the list is prob- 
ably complete. 

For valuable assistance acknowledgment is due 
to Colonel Ryerson, Chairman of the General and 
Executive Committees; to Miss Helen M. Merrill, 
Honorary Secretary, and to Mr. Angus Claude Mac- 
donell., K.C., M.P., Toronto; to Miss Mary Agnes 
FitzGibbon and Sara Mickle, for their kind permis- 
sion in allowing the use of the rare picture of 
General Brock, on the original of which they hold 
the copyright; to Mr. Walter E. Nursey, for the 
use of the pictures of General Brock, Col. Mac- 
donell, and Brock's Monument, from his interesting 
work: "The Story of Brock," in the Canadian 
Heroes Series; and to the Ontario Archives, To- 
ronto, for the use of the picture of the first monu- 
ment erected to Brock on Queenston Heights. 

Alexander Fraser. 




Lieutenant-Colonel John Macdonell. 

ill Ud-dc-Camp to Major-General Sii Isaw Brock; M.P. for Glengai 



-From Nursey's " Story of Isaac Brock. " (Briggs). 



CONTENTS 

PAGE 

Prefatory Note 3 

Introduction — J. Stewart Carstairs, B.A. 9 

Preliminary Steps 21 

General Committee Formed 25 

Programme Adopted 26 

Reports of Committees - 29 

Celebrating the Day ------ 32 

At Queenston Heights — 

Representatives Present 34 

Floral Decorations - - - - - - 40 

A Unique Scene 42 

Historic Flags and Relics 43 

Letters of Regret for Absence 44 

The Speeches — 

Colonel G. Sterling Ryerson 45 

Mr. Angus Claude Macdonell, M.P. - - - 50 

Hon. Dr. R. A. Pyne, M.P.P. - 55 

Colonel George T. Denison - - - - 58 

Mr. J. A. Macdonell, K.C. - - - - - 61 

Dr. James L. Hughes ----- 67 

Chief A. G. Smith ------ 71 

Warrior F. Onondeyoh Loft - - - - 74 

Mr. Charles R. McCullough - - - - 75 

Appendix I. — Highland Heroes in the War of 1812-14 

— Dr. Alexander Fraser - - - 77 

Appendix II. — Programme of Toronto Garrison Ser- 
vice in Massey Hall - - - 82 

Appendix III. — Indian Contributions to the Recon- 
struction of Brock's Monument - 88 

Appendix IV. — Meetings of the Executive Committee 

subsequent to the Celebration - 91 

Appendix V. — Captain Joseph Birney - - - 93 

5 



ILLUSTRATIONS 

PAGE 

Major-General Brock - Frontispiece 

Lieutenant-Colonel John Macdonell, Provincial Aide-de-Camp 

to Major-General Sir Isaac Brock ----- 5 

Executive Committee ----____ 28 

First Monument to General Brock at Queens ton Heights 33 
Brock's Monument ---------34 

Central section of a panoramic picture of the gathering at 

Queenston Heights - - - - - - - -36'' 

Floral Tribute placed on Cenotaph, where Brock fell, by the 

Guernsey Society, Toronto - - - - - - -38' 

Memorial Wreaths placed on the Tombs, at Queenston Heights, 

of Major-General Sir Isaac Brock, Kt., and Colonel John 

Macdonell, P.A.D.C, Attorney-General of Upper Canada - 41 " 
Wreath placed on Brock's Monument in St. Paul's Cathedral, 

London, Eng., by the Government of Canada 42 "' 
Wreath placed on Brock's Monument, Queenston Heights, by 

the Imperial Order of the Daughters of the Empire - - 42 

Conferring Tribal Membership on Miss Helen M. Merrill - 43 y 
Six Nation Indians celebrating Brock's Centenary at Queenston 

Heights ---------- 44* 

Colonel George Sterling Ryerson, Chairman of Committee - 45 y 

Angus Claude Macdonell, K.C., M.P., addressing the gathering - 51 

Hon. R. A. Pyne, M.D., M.P.P., Minister of Education of Ontario 58 

James L. Hughes, LL.D., Chief Inspector of Schools, Toronto - 58 

Colonel George T. Denison, Toronto - - - - - - 58 

J. A. Macdonell, K.C., Glengarry, addressing the gathering - 61 

Chief A. G. Smith, Six Nation Indians, Grand River Reserve - 71 " 

Captain Charles R. McCul lough, Hamilton, Ont. 71 

Warrior F. Onondeyoh Loft, Six Nation Indians, Toronto - - 71 

Members of Committee at Queenston Heights - - - - 77 

Group of Indians (Grand River Reserve) celebrating Brock's 

Centenary at Queenston Heights - - - - 88 " 

Captain Joseph Birnie - - - - - - - - 93 

7 



INTRODUCTION 
BROCK AND QUEENSTON 

By John Stewart Carstairs, B.A., Toronto 

Brock's fame and Brock's name will never die 
in our history. The past one hundred years have 
settled that. And in this glory the craggy heights 
of Queenston, where in their splendid mausoleum 
Brock and Macdonell sleep side by side their last 
sleep, will always have its share. Strangely 
enough, who ever associates Brock's name with 
Detroit? Yet, here was a marvellous achievement: 
the left wing of the enemy's army annihilated, its 
eloquent and grandiose leader captured and two 
thousand five hundred men and abundant military 
stores, with the State of Michigan thrown in! 

But Britain in those days was so busy doing 
things that we a hundred years later can scarcely 
realize them. However, so much of our historic 
perspective has been settled during the past hun- 
dred years. Perhaps in another hundred years, 
when other generations come together to commem- 
orate the efforts of these men that with Brock and 
Macdonell strove to seek and find and do and not 
to yield, the skirmish at Queenston may be viewed 
in a different light. 

Perhaps then the British Constitution will have 
bridged the oceans and the " Seven Seas " ; per- 
haps then Canada will be more British than 
Britain itself — the very core, the centre, the heart 
of the Empire in territory and population, in 
wealth and in influence, in spirit and in vital acti- 
vities. Then Queenston Heights may be regarded 

9 



BBOCE CENTENNIAL I BLEBRATION 
not merely m ■ victory that encouraged Canadiam 

to li-lii for their homes Inn as ;i far r-a-h in^ 

Tin- year of Queenston, let us remember, was the 
year of Salamanca and of Moscow the moil glori* 
oni year in Britiab military anna la Bnl what has 
Salamanca to do ^v i 1 1 1 Canada? Britain was fight- 
log alone, aol merely for the freedom of Britons bnl 
for the freedom of Europe. Since Hiss she had 
been for more than one-half <»f the one hundred and 
twenty-four yean actively In armi against Prance. 
since iT'.i.". then had been peace and only nom* 
Inal peace <i</<ii>ist Prance for only the two yean 
following the Treaty of Amiens | ism i. The gen- 
eration approaching maturity in L812 bad been 
born and had grown ap u In wan and rnmonn of 
wars." In this Btruggle against Prance and later 
against Napoleon, tin- Motherland had Increased 
the National Debt by £500,000,000, or aearly 
twenty-five bundred millions of dollars; she had 
spent every cent she could gather and taxed her 
posterity t" this extent That is what Britain had 
done for her children and for the world at large! 

But ever since Jefferson had purchased (1803) 
Louisiana from Napoleon the United States had 
found she was less dependent <m Britain. Accord' 
Ingly, Jefferson grew mon and more unfriendly. 
Ami now in L812, the world campaign of Napoleon 

had spread 1«» America, lie had hoped for this, but 

on different lines, lie had planned for it. but those 
plans had (ailed. 

•■ The War of 1*1-1 \." as we call it. was merely 

a phase, a section, of the greatest Btruggle In 
the history of mankind— the struggle of Britain 
against the aggrandisement and cheap ambition of 
Napoleon to become the Dictator of Europe and 
the civilised world. Brock, though Invited to take 
■ shan- in the long drawn out contest In Spain, 
decided fortunately for os to remain In Canada 
Tie- year L812 was the climai of the war with 

10 



INTRODUCTION 

Napoleon — the most splendid, as we have said, of 
all years in British military annals. Since 1808, 
the British forces had been striving to drive the 
French from Spain. First under Sir John Moore, 
later under Wellington, inch by inch, year by year, 
they had beaten them back toward the Pyrenees. 
Then on July 22, 1812, just as Brock was strug- 
gling with all his difficulties here in Canada, there 
came Wellington's first decisive victory at Sala- 
manca. The news reached Brock in October and 
a day or two before he died he sent the tidings 
forward to Proctor — Proctor then struggling with 
his Forty-first Regiment to do as much damage as 
he could to the enemy hundreds of miles out from 
Windsor and Detroit, Proctor who was to be etern- 
ally much abused for faults he never was guilty of, 
and to be blamed for Tecumseh's death next year. 
With the news of Salamanca went Brock's pro- 
phetic comment : " I think the game nearly up in 
Spain " ; and within a year the game, Napoleon's 
game, was up, not only in Spain but in all Europe. 
Within a year Leipsic had been fought and won 
and Napoleon was a wanderer on the face of the 
earth, to be gathered in and lodged on Elba. 

Meanwhile other great events were shaping. 
Just a month before Salamanca — in fact, four days 
before the United States declared war — Napoleon 
had set out on his fatal expedition against Russia. 
Two days later he crossed the Niemen. More than 
a million Frenchmen were now in arms in Europe ; 
and Britain was the only active enemy in the field. 

What wonder then that Brock, as the civil and 
military head of the Government of Upper Canada, 
should view with extreme anxiety the situation in 
the Province? He had been in Canada for ten 
years. He knew that the Motherland could not 
furnish any more men. There were fifteen hundred 
regular troops in Upper, and two thousand in 
Lower Canada. Forty years before there had not 
been a single settlement in what is now Ontario 

11 



BBOCS CENTENNIAL CELEBRATION 

from the Detroit to the Ottawa, bom Lake Ontario 
tall Bte, Marie, Now there irere seventy-five 
thousand Inhabitants; and under ;i wis.- Militia 
Act they ' 1;l( ' Imposed yearly military service on 
themselves; every male Inhabitant had to tarnish 
his own gun and appear <ui parade or be heavily 
fined. Thai there wan i volunteer force more or 

less trained amount in^ to ahont ten thonaand men 

■ militia that under Brock rendered iplendid 
sen Ice. 

Hut armi were ■caret 1 ami supplies had to 1k» 
brought h>im distances. The men at Qneennton 
won their victory with guns that were captured 
two monthe before at Detroit Throughout the 
war, when our mills had >»«-•- 1 1 burnt by a ruthleai 

enemy ih.it made war on women and children and 

old men. supplies were brought up the toilsome 

COUrae of the St. Lawrence in Durham h<>ats and 

bateaMB. The devoted militia of the river CO unties 

guarded the frontier, ami only once did they lose 

a convoy, part of which they afterwards recovered 

by a raid into the em-niv's territory at Wadding- 
tun. N.V. 

in front of Brock was a nation of eight or nine 
millions, a nation that bejieved they could "take 
the Canadas without soldiers;" as the ftnited 

States Secretary <>f War said — " we have only to 
send officer! into the Province and the people, dis- 

affected towards their own Government, will rally 
r«»und our standard." Yet they placed, during the 

three years «.f the war, 527,000 men in the field and 

were defeated in thirty-two engagements The 

Oddl were twenty-six t«> on.- BgalnSl OS That was 

Brock'i grand bequest t<> this land the spirit to 
tiL'ht against <>dds that were at first sight positively 
overwhelming. 

Por yean sedition ami disloyalty had been L r ain- 
ing ground in Upper Canada in 1802, Colonel 
Talbot classified the Inhabitants of the western 
part "f 'h«- Province as iii those enticed hither by 

U 



INTKODUCTION 



the free land grants; (2) those that had fled from 
the United States for crime; (3) Republicans anti- 
cipating that the colony would shake off its 
allegiance to Britain. Lieutenant-Colonel Ernest 
Crmkshank who is justly regarded as the most 
eminent authority on the War of 1812-14, believes 
that in a large portion of the Province " the recent 
immigrants from the United States outnumbered 
all the other inhabitants at least two to one. Two- 
lh)lf ?L members of the Assembly and one- 
States " ma S lstrate s were natives of the United 

On the 28th of July, 1812, Brock called together 

frl T l atUI>e .° f Upper Canada - In his «Peech 
from the throne he stated that « a few traitors have 
already joined the enemy, have been suffered to 
come into the country with impunity, and have 
been harboured and concealed in the interior » 
The peroration should be memorized by everv 
young Canadian: "We are engaged in an awful 

™ + °° wl* and by vi - our in our operations we 
SLS** th / enem y this lesson, that a country 
defended by free men, enthusiastically devoted to 

ouered " g TT and "»*<>»> ca * neVer be con 
?£ w i % es P ecia11 ^ desire d the suspension of 
the Habeas Corpus Act and the passing of an Act 

LT? el T?^ perSOnS t0 take an oath abjur 
mg their allegiance to other countries. But Brock 

ThPv e i^°,r W ° rd !' C ° Uld " get no g00d of them! 
ihey like the magistrates and others in office evi- 
dently mean to remain passive. The repeal of the 
Habeas Corpus will not pass, and if I have recourse 
to the aw martial, I am told the whole armed 
force will disperse. Never was an officer placed 
in a more awkward predicament." 

The very next day he wrote in much the sattip 
spirit to Colonel Baynes: "The population, believe 
me, is essentially bad-a full belief possesses them 
all that this Province must inevitably succumb. 



BROCK I i:\Ti:wi.\i. CELEBRATION 

Thin prepossession is fatal to over) exertion. I eg 
Islators, magistrates, militia officers, ail have 
i in l • i i •« *< 1 the idea, and are bo sluggish and Indif- 
ferent in their respective officea thai the artful and 
active aconndreJ is allowed to parade the country 
without Interrnption and commit all Imaginable 
mischief. . . Most of the people have lost all 
confidence, l. however, speak lond and look i»i^ r ." 

<>u the same day, moreover, he reported: "The 
militia stationed here (at fork) volunteered their 
services to any pari of the Province without the 
least hesitation." 

Day after day his Legislature wasted their time. 
For eight days they discussed a mere party ques- 
tion of changing i clause in the School Bill. Brock 
prorogued Parliament and took the reins In his 
own hands. He declared martial law, and soon 
after three members of the Legialature, Willcocka, 
Ifarkle, and liallory, deserted ami joined the United 
states forces. 

At once he set out on his expedition to Detroit. 
Through the wilds of (Jpper Canada, by lake and 
field, he led his small band of men two hundred 
miles, in nineteen' days he waa back again In his 

capital. He had annihilated the left wing of the 

enemy's army; he had captured two thousand five 
hundred men, thirty seven cannon and Immense 
military stores. The state of kfichigan practically 

remained in our possession till tin- close of the war. 

A hundred years ago Brock spent the last week 
in August and the fust part «»f October in strength- 
ening the defences <>n the Niagara frontier. Be 

needed <»ne thousand more regulars, hut Sir Qeorge 
PreVOet could not spare another man. He mounted 

new batteries with the Detroit cannon. He estab- 
lished a system «>f communication and the di 

beacon lights from Lake laic to Lake Ontario, with 

;i spur line inland to Pelham Heights, He refitted 

his men from the Stores Captured at Detroit. Cease- 
less activity and eternal vigilance were the very 

11 



INTRODUCTION 

laws of his life. The motto on his seal is said to 
have been " He who guards never sleeps." The 
legend may not be correct, but it is so appropriate 
that one likes to perpetuate the tradition. 

The United States army as a whole was attack- 
ing Canada at three points: its right wing was 
trying to force its way up the valley of the Riche- 
lieu; its left wing had been disposed of by Brock 
at Detroit ; its centre was being strengthened every 
day along the Niagara frontier. From the old 
French fort at the mouth of the Niagara River to 
the village of Buffalo there was on both sides of 
the Niagara an uninterrupted scene of fearful and 
warlike activity. The heights of Lewiston and the 
red beach below were white with the tents of nearly 
four thousand soldiers. 

From Queenston a small body of British and 
Canadian soldiers were watching and waiting. 
Then — a hundred years ago — it was much the same 
straggling village as to-day. Here the eddying, 
foaming, turbulent waters of the Niagara issue 
from the narrow, rocky gorge to spread out into a 
gentle stream and wind their way to Lake Ontario, 
seven miles distant. At the foot of the Canadian 
cliff nestles Queenston; at the foot of the sister 
cliff opposite is Lewiston in New York State. A 
hundred years ago, from the " Heights " a spec- 
tator would have seen the same glorious panorama 
of fertile fields and autumn tints; but since June 
the whole line of the Niagara River had resounded 
with din of preparations to resist a ruthless and 
aggressive invader. 

But while Brock was absent at Detroit, about 
the middle of August, Sir George Prevost, the 
British commander-in-chief, had very unwisely 
concluded an armistice with General Dearborn, 
the terms of which extended only to the right wing 
of the United States army. Accordingly, this gave 
Major-General Van Rensselaer, who was in com- 
mand of the enemy on the Niagara, a splendid 

15 



BBOCK CENTENNIAL CELEBRATION 

opportunity to array still larger forces against 
Brock. Artillery and itorei wen- brought up from 
Oswego; thousands of additional troopi had been 
hurried forward i«» the enemy; mowi and boati 
were built for the pnrpote <>f crossing the Niagara. 
"Major-General Stephen Van Rensselaer/' iaji 
Colonel Ernest Cruikshank, the careful historian 
<»f the war, " who held chief »-«hutu:ih«1 by virtue of 
his rank as major-genera] <>f tin- New York state 
troops, was an entire novice in all military affairs, 

ami COnld scarcely even be termed an amateur 
soldier. The last patTOOD of the iiiaimr of Ketis- 

selaer-Wyck ami the Leading Federalist in the 
state, ins appointment was a sharp stroke of partg 
tactics on the pari of the Governor, wiio discovered 
m him a prospective ami dangeroDJ opponent The 

recent congressional elections had seemed to imli- 

cate that the Federalists had regained the confi- 
dence of the people of New Fork, and most of their 

leaden were uncompromising in their hostility tt» 
the war. it Van Rensselaer accepted the command 
his immediate following would be committed to Its 
prosecution; if he refused his conduct could be 
denounced as unpatriotic. 
•• Stephen was an amiable and benevolent, but 

rather dull man of ahout fifty years of age. On 
all strictly military BUDJeCtS he was compelled to 

rely apon the advice of his adjutant general and 

cousin, Colonel Solomon Van Rensselaer, who had 
been bred a soldier, had served in the United states 

army for ten years, and had held his present 

appointment for as many more. He had been 
w«»unded in Wayne's campaign against the 
[ndians, ami possessed the reputation of being a 
brave ami skilful officer." 
Tic .1, ;■ win. comes op the Niagara 

River will see just after he leaves the wharf of 

Niagara ou-the-Lake the far-extending green bai 

tions "f Port George, a hundred years a_ r .» there 
so barn there which a thrifty Government later 

L6 



INTRODUCTION 

allowed to be built within its lines. But a hundred 
years ago this morning, on Tuesday, October 13, 
it was a fort and Brock's headquarters. For weeks 
there had been persistent rainstorms. In the dull 
grey foggy chill of the morning, about four o'clock, 
there came an alarm that the enemy were crossing 
the river at Queenston. In a few minutes, Brock 
dashed out of the fort unattended and galloped 
headlong up the river road. Macdonell, his young 
and faithful aide-de-camp, soon followed. At 
Brown's Point, two miles from Queenston, was a 
battery manned by the militia of York, among 
them such men as John Beverley Robinson and 
Archibald Maclean, both afterwards chief justices. 
As Brock passed he waved his hand to them; and 
very likely it was then he said, " Push on, brave 
York Volunteers." And as they advanced to sup- 
port their leaders there was plenty of evidence that 
the invaders had made a landing. Troops of the 
enemy were met under guard — miserable, wounded 
wretches. 

The mouth of the Niagara Gorge is barely two 
hundred yards wide; and this had been selected 
as the place at which to cross. Fifteen hundred 
United States regulars and nearly three thousand 
militia, it was hoped, could be ferried across in 
seven trips. At Queenston to oppose them there 
were merely two companies of the Forty-ninth 
(Brock's regiment) under Captain Dennis, and 
three companies of militia. In all, in and about 
Queenston there were less than two hundred men. 

In less than fifteen minutes ten boats had landed 
three hundred men, exactly as they had planned. 
When discovered by a sentinel, they were forming 
up under the command of Colonel Solomon Van 
Rensselaer. 

At once from Brown's Point, from Vrooman's 
Point, from the gun halfway up Queenston Heights, 
there belched forth an incessant fire. The Lewis- 

17 



BROCK CENTENNIAL CELEBRATION 

ton batti'rirs opened on the tillage Bud 1000 

reduced several <»f 1 1 1 « * houses to rains. 

Meanwhile, ( laptain Dennis, with forty six men, 
sought out the Invaders ;it the fool ol the cliff. 
Though they boob took to the cover of the treee 
and brush in disorder, manj were killed, and 
Colonel Van Rensselaer himself received no Less 
than six wounds. 

After dawn, however, they observed how few 
men were working the one-gun battery halfway up 
Queenston Heights. They ascended by a narrow 
fisherman's path, under the command of Lieuten- 
ant Wool, ami gained the Heights unopposed. 

It was "at this instant Brock rode into tin- vil- 
lage, Bplashed with mud from head to foot 
a striking scene presented itself to his gaze. Bat- 
talion after battalion of troops In rear of tin* 
American batteries in readiness to embark; other 
detachments entering their boats, some already on 
the river; their guns throwing round and grape 
slmt Into the village, where Dennis still contrived 
t<> maintain a foothold" (Cruikshank). 

Brock rode up the Blope toward the redan half- 
wax nj» the Heights. Prom the hillside above him 
bursl a sin. nt ami down rushed an overwhelming 
body of the Invaders. With barely time to spike 
the gun with a ramrod, the three officers and the 
dosen artillerymen withdrew and left the enemy in 
possession. 

Fresh troops were now landing to as^ivt the 

[nvaders; ami Brock was fully convinced that the 
position musl be recovered at once. 1 Ee sent 
Captain Williams with aboul seventy men by a 
i-Minni about wa> t<> attack wool's left Seeing 
Wool's force driven in. Brock mustered a hundred 

and ninety turn. Including the militia flank COm- 

panies. Waving his sword, he led his men ap the 
s-t <•••] i ascent toward the battery they had h><t \- 
he moved toward the right <»f the mountain, a bullet 

struck Ids sword wrist within fifty yards of him, 

18 



INTRODUCTION 

an Ohio rifleman stepped out from a thicket, took 
deliberate aim and fired. Shot through the left 
breast, he fell. " My fall," he murmured, " must 
not be noticed, nor impede my brave companions 
from advancing to victory." Mindful of duty, 
mindful of others, thus died Sir Isaac Brock, the 
hero of Upper Canada. 

Three days before, a grateful sovereign had 
created him a Knight of the Order of the Bath. 
Subsequent generations of Canadians placed over 
his remains the noble shaft, that from its com- 
manding position is the most notable landmark of 
the historic battleground he made famous. But he 
lives in the hearts of the people whose country he 
saved, whose fathers he inspired to resist the 
invader. He had found them a panic-stricken 
people, he left them vigorous, united, aggressive. 

The remaining incidents of that day at Queens- 
ton Heights are well known. Two hours later, 
Macdonell, Brock's military secretary and aide, 
tried to regain the one-gun battery. A fierce fight 
ensued: Macdonell, Dennis and Williams were all 
wounded; and the next day the bright young 
Scotsman, attorney-general at the age of twenty- 
seven, passed away. In life he was united with 
Brock, and in death he was not separated. The 
bodies of the two heroes rest together under the 
Queenston Monument, where the river has been 
singing their requiem for a hundred years. 

The third stage of the battle was reached at two 
o'clock in the afternoon. Then Major-General 
Roger Hale Sheaffe advanced from Fort George 
along the river road. Turning to the right down 
the little Queenston Creek, he led his forces across 
the Dr. Hamilton property. On the left he flung 
out his Indians under Norton and Brant, and they 
moved forward and made trouble. 

Ascending the escarpment west of the invading 
troops, Sheaffe came upon the terrified invaders, 
drawn up near the site of the present monument. 

19 



BBOGE CENTENNIAL OELEBBATION 

Their left rested on the river verge <>f the cliff, a 
volley or two end tin' Canadians found them' 
srhi's emberraesed with prisoners. n\ Ithin ■ few 
958, Including stragglers, had mrrendered si 
prisoners of war. among these were General Wads* 
worth, who had been In command, and Lieutenant 
Colonel Winfleld Scott, later to heroine rominiin<ler- 
in-chief of the Dnited States army and conqueror of 
Mexico. 



20 



PRELIMINARY STEPS 

The desire to commemorate the centenary of 
Brock's death-day— October 13th, 1912— took form 
at a meeting of the United Empire Loyalists' Asso- 
ciation of Canada, held at Toronto on April 11th, 
1912 when, on the motion of Mr. John Stewart 
^arstairs, B.A., a committee, consisting of Colonel 
Kyerson, Lieut.-Colonel W. Hamilton Merritt, Mr 
J. 6. Carstairs, and Mr. C. E. MacDonald, barris- 
ter was appointed to draft a suitable programme 
tor the celebration of " Brock's Day." 

This committee submitted the following report 

?wt To e , t i Ilg ^ 0f the Ass °ciation held on September 
-Utn, 1912, Colonel Kyerson presiding: 

"Your Committee begs leave to report that as, 
within their knowledge, no action has been taken 
by either the Federal or Provincial Government to 
celebrate the Centenary of the death of Sir Isaac 
Brock on Sunday, October 13th, 1912, thev recom- 
mend as follows : 

^"I 1 ! Th , a }. recom mendations be made to both 
the * ederal Government and to the Provincial Gov- 
ernment of Ontario, that in view of the fact that 
General Brock in June, 1812, found himself at the 
head of a panic-stricken people in the presence of 
a powerful invader, and that a few months later, 
when he fell at Queenston Heights, he left that 
people united, fearless and invincible, it is believed 
that there should be a national demonstration that 
will be m effect only less impressive on the public 
mind than was the passing away of the man himself 
at Queenston Heights a hundred years ago. 

21 



BROCK CENTENNIAL CELEBRATION 

rii;ii the demonstration might take the form 

of ■ royal salute from every cam In the land on 

Sunday, October LSth. Thia would be a matter to 
be arranged by the Minister of Militia. 

M (3) Every church in Canada might be re- 
quested to hold some sort of a memorial service 
on Sunday, < October LSth. 

••ill On Friday, October Llth, every school In 
Canada might appeal to the Intellect and Imagina- 
tion <>f iiif coming generation of men and women 
by appropriate commemorative exercises. 

5) Monday, October litii. could be pro- 
claimed ;i national holiday. 

"There Is, In the corridor of the Parliament 
Buildings at Toronto, the copy of a splendid por- 
trait of Brock, full of life and action. By some 
arrangement with the Minister of Education In 
every Province, or even without it. perhaps a copy 
of (his picture could be placed In every school In 
the land. 

u ii'ii As the city of Toronto is very likely to 
expropriate the Knoi College property, it might 
be well to Buggest to the city authorities that this 
new park should be opened in October with proper 
ceremonies and named Brock Park. In this con- 
nection, it might be well to recall that the lower 

portion Of Spadina Avenue was, until recently, 

known as Brock Street. 

u 1 7 1 it is recommended that these suggestions 
shall be brought to the attention of the Federal 
and Provincial Governments, and every means 

should be taken to convince the authorities that 00 

October LSth, L912, our people should hang some 
votive offering on the shrine of the hero of Upper 

< 'anada. 

That copies of this report be sent to the 
National Council of Women and to the Secretary 
of the Imperial Order of the Daughters of the 
Empire Inviting their concurrence, 

•■ .i. S, ( Sabs ru us. Chairman." 



PRELIMINARY STEPS 

This Report was adopted tentatively, and in 
order to secure as wide as possible a co-operation 
from other patriotic Associations, it was agreed, 
on the motion of Colonel Denison, seconded by Mr. 
C. E. Macdonald, that the Centenary of Sir Isaac 
Brock's death, Sunday, October 13th, 1912, be 
commemorated by an excursion to Queenston 
Heights on the 12th, and that patriotic and his- 
torical societies, clubs and regiments, etc., be asked 
to send not more than three delegates to a meeting 
to be held on Wednesday, September 25th, at 4.30 
o'clock, in the Canadian Foresters' Building, to 
discuss a plan of commemoration. 

In accordance with this resolution the following 
societies were circularized, and asked to co-operate 
in the celebration: 

Societies: British Empire League; Caledonian 
Society; Canadian Club; Canadian Defence 
League; Daughters of the Empire, Niagara Falls, 
Ont.; Daughters of the Empire, St. Catharines; 
Empire Club; Historical Society, Niagara Falls, 
Ont.; Historical Society, Niagara-on-the-Lake ; 
Imperial Order Daughters of the Empire; Irish 
Protestant and Benevolent Society, Toronto; 
Lundy's Lane Historical Society, Niagara Falls, 
Ont.; Ontario Historical Society; St. Andrew's 
Society, Toronto; St. Catharines' Historical Soci- 
ety; St. George's Society, Toronto; Sons of Eng- 
land, Toronto; Sons of Scotland Benevolent Asso- 
ciation, Toronto; Women's Canadian Historical 
Society, Toronto; Women's Canadian Club, To- 
ronto; Women's Historical Society, Hamilton; 
Women's Institute, Queenston; Women's Institute, 
Stamford; York Pioneers' Association. 

Military: Brig.-General W. H. Cotton, Officer 
Commanding 2nd Division ; Canadian Army Medi- 
cal Corps, Permanent Army Medical Corps, Per- 
manent Army Service Corps, Royal Canadian 
Dragoons, Royal Canadian Engineers, Royal Cana- 
dian Regiment. 

23 



BBOGE CENTENNIAL QELEBBATION 

Artilhr;/: 2nd Brigade ( ;in;i<li;in Field Anil- 

lnv, :»ih Battery Canadian Field Artillery. 

atry: Governor-General's Body Guard, 9th 
M ississanga Bona. 

Infantry: " Queen'i Own" Bines, LOts Begi- 
in. 'lit Boyal Grenadiers, i-iii Begiment fork 
Bangers, L8th BattalioD Bighlanders. 

Military Asfooiations, Etc.: Canadian Military 
Institute, Bar Mnji'stv's Army and Navy Veterans, 
[mperial South African Service Association, Vn 
erans <>f '66 Association, Veterans of ' v ~' Associa- 
tion, Wblseley Bed River Expedition Association, 
1870. 



U 



GENERAL COMMITTEE FORMED 

In response to the invitation above referred to, 
societies and regiments appointed the following 
delegates to represent them on the General Com- 
mittee : — 

United Empire Loyalists' Association of Canada : 
Colonel G. Sterling Ryerson, President; Colonel 
G. T. Denison, Lieut.-Colonel George A. Shaw, Mr. 
R. E. A. Land, Vice-Presidents; Mr. J. Stewart 
Carstairs, Honorary Secretary; Miss Helen M. 
Merrill, Honorary Assistant Secretary; Mr. A. R. 
Davis, Honorary Treasurer; Mr. C. E. Macdonald, 
Miss Catharine Merritt, Mr. R. S. Neville, K.C., 
Captain Victor Hall, Miss O. V. Widner, Mrs. 
F. O. Loft, Mrs. Edmund Phillips, Mrs. Dignam, 
Toronto. 

Six Nations Indians (United Empire Loyalists) : 
Warrior F. O. Loft, Mr. Allen W. Johnson. 

British Empire League: Colonel G. T. Denison, 
Toronto. 

Canadian Club : Dr. A. H. U. Colquhoun, Presi- 
dent; Mr. F. D. L. Smith, Toronto. 

Canadian Defence League: Colonel Fothering- 
ham, Dr. J. L. Hughes, Mr. R. E. Kingsford, 
Toronto. 

Empire Club: Mr. J. Castell Hopkins, Dr. E. K. 
Richardson, Toronto. 

Imperial Order Daughters of the Empire: Mrs. 
A. E. Gooderham, Mrs. E. F. B. Johnstone, Mrs. 
John Bruce, Miss Constance Boulton, Toronto. 

Sons of Scotland: Dr. Alexander Fraser, Dr. 
John Ferguson, Toronto. 

25 



BBOCK CENTENNIAL CELEBRATION 

I sty, Toronto: John Vf. ( tamble 

Boyd. 

Lundy's I. unc Historical LMOotottofi; Mr. J, 
Jackson, Superintendent Queen Victoria Park, 
Secretary . Niagara Palls, ( >m. 

Niagara Historical Society: .Miss Janel Carno- 
chan, Niagara-on-the-Lake; Mrs. Blisabeth Thomp- 
son, Mrs. Charles Lewis Bhaw, Toronto. 

Ontario Historical Society: Dr. Alexander 
Fraser, Secretary, Toronto. 

Women's Canadian Historical Society, Toronto: 
Miss M. Agnea FitsGibbon, Toronto. 

Women's Wentworth Historical Society: Mrs, 
John ( folder, Hamilton, President 

Governor 'OeneraV% Body Guard: Lieut-Colonel 
Prank A Fleming, w. E. L. Coleman, Toronto. 

/.'/// Regiment: Major Curran, Toronto. 

\8th Highlanders: Captain Darling, Adjutant. 

f 66 i eterans i Association: Captain (, >»'". Musson, 
r. E5. Noverre, David Creighton, Lieut-Colonel 
A. E. Belcher, Lieut-Colonel Geo. a. Bhaw, 

ToronlH. 

Vi U runs' Association : Berjjfant A. G. Sc(»vt'll. 

Toronto. 

PROGRAMME ADOPTED 

The first meeting of the ( General < Committee thus 
formed wbm held on September 25th, \\i\-. In the 
Canadian Foresters' Building, College Street, 
Toronto. There was a large attendance of members. 

Colonel Byerson was appointed Chairman, and 
Mis-- Helen M. Merrill Secretary, <>f the Commit- 
The report from the United Empire Loyalist 
association of Canada, as l: i \ « -n above, baying been 
read i<» the meeting, resolutions i<> the following 
effect were passed : 

i i i That Brock's Day be celebrated by a public 
gathering at Queenston Heights. 

26 



GENERAL COMMITTEE FORMED 

(2) That the various patriotic and historical 
societies, local as well as those within easy reach 
of Queenston, be invited to send as large delega- 
tions as possible to Brock's Monument on Satur- 
day, October 12th, 1912, in commemoration of his 
death. 

(3) That the various patriotic and historical 
societies be asked to send wreaths for the purpose 
of decorating Brock's Monument on October 12th. 

(4) That a special invitation be sent to Mr. J. A. 
Macdonell, K.C., Alexandria, Ont., to attend the 
celebration as the direct representative of Colonel 
John Macdonell, the Attorney-General of Upper 
Canada, and Brock's Provincial A.D.C., who fell 
with his leader, and whose remains rest beneath 
the monument on Queenston Heights. 

(5) That the Honourable the Minister of Militia 
be asked to order that salutes be fired on October 
12th from all saluting points in Canada. 

(6) That the churches be asked to arrange that 
memorial sermons be preached throughout Canada 
on Sunday, October 13th. 

(7) That suitable exercises relating to Brock 
and 1812 should be held in every school in Canada ; 
and that this suggestion be not only given pub- 
licity through the newspapers, but that the atten- 
tion of the various Ministers of Education in the 
Dominion be specially drawn to it. 

(8) That the Superintendent-General of Indian 
Affairs at Ottawa be asked to take measures to 
have the history of Brock and the events of the 
1812 war brought specially before the children in 
all Indian Schools under the charge of the Domin- 
ion Government. 

(9) That a wreath be placed on the picture of 
Brock in the Parliament Buildings, Toronto. 

(10) That it be suggested to the Dominion Gov- 
ernment to place a wreath on Brock's Monument 
in St. Paul's Cathedral, London, England. 

27 



BBOCK CENTENNIAL CELEBRATION 

An Executive Committee irai appointed to fur- 
tiirr theee reeolntione, consisting of tin- memben 
of the following ■peda] committeee: — 

Travelling A r ran g eptent9 f etc.: Colonel Etyeraon, 

Dr. .Tiiim-s L. lhi.L r li"s, Mr. .1 S. ('arstairs :iinl Mr. 

C. B. Ifacdonald. 

Preee: Mr. J. Castell Hoptdna, Dr Alexander 
ier, Mr. i\ D. L Sn.iih. Win Helen II Merrill 

Chairman ;m<l Secretary of the Executive Com- 
mittee: Colonel Ryerson and Miss Helen M. Merrill 



28 











Miss Helen M. Merrill, Honorary Secretary Colonel George S. Ryerson, Chairman. 

James L. Hughes. LL.D. J. Castell Hopkins. J. Stewart Carstairs, B.A. 

Charles E Macdonald. Esq. Alexander Eraser, LL.D., Litt.D. F. D. L. Smith. Esq. 



EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE. 



REPORTS OF COMMITTEES 



The General Committee met on October 2nd, 
1912, Colonel Ryerson presiding. The reports of 
the special committees regarding the arrangements 
were very satisfactory, and it was made abund- 
antly clear that the proposed celebration had 
touched a tender chord of public feeling. Travel- 
ling arrangements by train to Niagara Falls and 
by electric car thence to Queenston Heights were 
approved of. The co-operation of the Women's 
Institute, Queenston, was promised in connection 
with the decoration of the grounds there; the 
Ontario Government consented to police the 
grounds, and the Victoria Park Commission to 
reopen the restaurant at the Heights for the day. 
It was agreed to advise the hotels at Niagara Falls, 
Ont., that luncheon would be taken at that town 
on arrival of the train, and to arrange with the 
electric railway for the conveyance of the visitors 
to the Monument. The publicity so generously 
afforded by the press was gratefully acknowledged. 
A letter from Mr. J. A. Macdonell, K.C., Alex- 
andria, accepting the Committee's invitation, was 
read; and a motion by Mr. F. D. L. Smith that a 
bronze tablet to mark the centenary celebration 
be placed on Brock's Monument was deferred for 
consideration at the next meeting to be held on the 
week following. 

At the meeting of the General Committee held 
on October 9th in the Canadian Foresters' Hall, 
Toronto, Colonel Ryerson presiding, the following 
report of the Executive Committee was received 
and adopted: — 

29 



BBOCE CENTENNIAL CELEBRATK >\ 

w The Executive Committee met on October Tih 
ami received satisfactory reports of the pro- 
gross made In carrying <>nt the propotali of the 
General Committee, a programme for the cele- 
bration ;ii Qneenaton Heights was drafted, and the 
President wbb requested to arrange with the 
Department of Militia thai the permanent fon 

-.■in Prom Toronto i«» Qneenston Heights to take 
part in the proceedings, li was also resolved to 
publish ;ui account of the proceedings In connec- 
tion wiiii the celebration as an Interesting record 
of a notable event,' 1 

The Executive also reported thai all arrange- 
ments had been completed for the journey to 
Qneenston Heights; thai the Militia Department 
had ordered thai salutes be ftred Prom all saluting 
points in Canada on the L2tfa Inst.; thai commem- 
orative church services would be extensively l » « - 1 • 1 
<»n the LStfa Inst.; thai special exercises would be 
observed In the public schools In accordance with 
letters received Prom the Honourable R. A. Pyne, 
M.P.P., Minister of Education Por Ontario, Mr. 
Augustus w. Ball, Deputy Minister of Education, 
Saskatchewan, Mr. Alexander Robinson, Superin- 
tendent "f Education, British Columbia, and from 
Mr. R. Fletcher, Deputy Minister of Education, 
Manitoba; thai a detachmenl Prom the permanent 
infantry Porce nt Toronto would proceed to Queens- 
ton Heights «>n the 12th inst.; thai the Toronto, 
Hamilton and other corps «>f militia would be 
represented, and thai large delegations Prom patri- 
otic, national and historical societies would take 
part; that many wreaths would be sent to the 
monument; that the Dominion Government had 
ordered its representative in London. England, to 
place a wreath on Brock's Memorial in St Paul's 
Cathedral; and that tetters Prom prominent public 

men had l n received, either regretting their 

Inability to take part or accepting the Invitations 
to be present 



REPORTS OF COMMITTEES 

This being the last meeting of the General Com- 
mittee, it was agreed to refer the suggestion that 
a bronze centennial tablet be placed on Brock's 
Monument, the striking of a Centennial medal, 
and all business connected with the celebration 
ceremonies, or arising therefrom, to the Executive 
Committee, with full power to dispose of the same. 

The meeting then adjourned sine die. 



31 



CEI I liRATING THE DAY 



it had been decided t" travel by the Grand Trunk 
Railway train leaving Toronto at nine o'clock a.m. 
(a few only going by Bteamer from Yonge Street 
wharf). The unsettled, rainy weather <»f tin- two 
]>iv\ idiiv dayt had <-;iusim1 some misgiving ns to the 
nnmber of people who might venture on an open 
aii- demonstration on a cold October day, ami the 
grey looming ski-s ; it dawn on Saturday, the L2th, 
held n<> hidden hope <»f a silver lining. The 
enthusiasm awakened by tin- name "f Brock, how- 
ever, was resistless, and betimes tin- seats in the 
waiting train were crowded. The (Jnion Station 
witnessed a lively scene the soldiers in bright 
colours, the ladies and gentlemen in gay humour, 
ami tin- stirring music «»f the J »: i l^i » i ] »« ss, combining 
to enliven and mark the unusnal character of the 
don. 

At Bamilton s nnmber <»f friends joined the 
party, and others wh<> could m.t <io so came to the 
railway station to express their good wishes. St. 
Catharines also gave Its contingent Niagara Palls 
was safely reached at L1.46 o'clock. 

Shortly afterwards Major Gordon J. Smith, 
Brantford, Superintendent of the Six Nation 
Indians, and a fine delegation arrived, and 
luncheon was served at several «>f the hotels. 

The journey was resumed by electric cars, the 
large company arriving at Qneenston Heights In 
the course of an hour. 

During the forenoon the sky had cleared, and 
now the sun shorn- out brightly for ■ space <»n ■ 



CELEBRATING THE DAY 

landscape unsurpassed anywhere for spacious 
magnificence and scenic beauty. And crowning 
the domed escarpment the stately column spoke 
forth a people's patriotism and love, a memorial 
to the brave, the scene harmonizing with the 
feelings of the great gathering. 



33 



AT QUEENSTON HEIGHTS 

About two thousand people gathered at the f"<>t 

of the Monument Colonel <i. Sterling Byerson, 
President of the General Committee and ol the 
v. K. L Association, presided. Among those 

present were the lion. II. A. Pyne, li.P.P., Minis- 

ter «>f Bdncation tor Ontario, ami Mrs. Pyne; 
A. Claude Macdonell, M.P., Toronto; w. If, Ger- 
man, M.r.. Welland; Colonel George T. Denison 
(\\ v.. Land British Empire League); J. A Mac- 
doiiril, K.C., Glengarry; a. IfacLean Macdonell, 
K.C. (representatives of Colonel the lion. John 
Macdonell, Provincial A.iu\ to General Brock); 
Dr. Alexander Dame (a relative of Hon. Colonel 
John Macdonell) ; Jamee I-. Hughes, LL.D. (Cana- 
dian Defence League) : Doctor Jeesop, M.P.P., St 
Catharines; Mr. Evan Eraser, M.P.P., Niagara 
Palls, <>nt.: Alexander Praser, LL.D. (Ontario 
Historical Society, St Andrew 9 ! Society, and 
s.o.s. Association); Mr. P. l>. rV. Smith (Cana- 
dian Club, Toronto); J. CasteU Hopkins (Empire 

Clnl), Toronto); Miss Helen M. Merrill (Honor- 
ary Secretary, Brock Centenary, ami r. r. L.); 
i '. Macdonell : Miss Kate Praser, Toronto: Mr. 
John Stewart Carstairs, BJL (Honorary Secre- 
tary, r. E. I.. Association of < lanada | : Mr. Charlei 
r Macdonald, barrister, Toronto I Honorary Coun- 
sellor, r. B. I.. Association <'f Canada); Chas. B. 
McCullough, Hamilton (Union of t Sanadlan Clubs). 

Etoyal Canadian College, Kingston: Colonel 
.1. H. v. < Srowe, ( Sommandant 

Boyal Canadian Regiment : Captain J. P. Brown 
iin command), Lieutenant J. w. Cox, and sixty- 
eight non-coms, ami men. 




BROCKS MONUMENT, QUEENSTON HEIGHTS. 

—Prom Nursey's " Story of Isaac Brock " (Briggs). 



AT QUEENSTON HEIGHTS 

Governor-General's Body Guard: Lieut-Colonel 
Frank A. Fleming, officer commanding; Lieuten- 
ant A. D. Kirkpa trick; A. M. Stretton, Sergt.- 
Major, W. O. ; S.Q.M.S. W. E. Borlace, Sergeant E. 
Pelletier, Mr. W. E. L. Coleman, Robt. D. Cox, 
Q.M. Sgt., 1st Cavalry Brigade; Corporal Worsick, 
Corporal Douglas; Troopers G. L. Collins, E. 
Lightbodv, Sewell, Thos. Preston, G. W. C. Clarke, 
John S. Kilpatrick, W. Lennox, W. Hill, S. Norse. 

9th Mississauga Horse. 

St. Catharines Field Battery : Colonel F. King, 
Lieut.-Colonel Campbell. 

Canadian Engineers. 

2nd Regt. Q.O.R., Toronto : Sergeant-Major Geo. 
Creighton, Sergeants J. I. Matthews, A. G. Scovell, 
R. F. Reed, W. F. Meaforth, Forsyth, Scott; George 
Sanderson, E. R. Fitzgerald, retired, New West- 
minster, B.C., and others. 

10th Regt., "Royal Grenadiers," Toronto: 
Edward Johnston, Geo. H. Briggs, Robert Hazel- 
ton, and seventeen men under Captain Campbell. 

12th Regt., " York Rangers " : Major Curran. 

13th Regt., Hamilton: Lieut.-Colonel Moore, 
Bt. Lieut.-Colonel Ross, CO., Major Lester. 

19th Regt., St. Catharines : Lieut.-Colonel W. W. 
Burleigh and others. 

22nd Regt., " Oxford Rifles." 

36th " Peel " Regt. : Royal Grafton, Ensign. 

48th Regt., " Highlanders," Toronto : Lieut.- 
Colonel W. Hendrie, Major J. A. Currie, and 
thirty-two non-com. officers and men in charge of 
Sergeant Cameron. 

91st Regt., Canadian Highlanders, Hamilton: 
Lieut.-Colonel John J. Maclaren and others. 

York and Simcoe Battalion, Toronto: Corporal 
Thos. Laird, N.W.F.F., 1885. 

North- West Mounted Police: J. W. Scott. 

35 



i K CENTENNIAL CELEHUATION 




Niagara District Veteran Volunteera' Associa- 

tion, St Catharines: Jamieson Black, President; 

C. Chapman, Past-President; Robt J. Black, Vice- 

idenl : W. II. Drysdale, Treasurer; J. Albert 

\i ; n. i fi .... w ; i. 



Hills, Secretary ; I teorge Wilson. 

]]\< Majesty's Army and Navy Veterans 1 Am 
tion : .Mr. C. II. Robertson. 

Canadian .Miliiia Veterans: Captain w. Fahey, 
President 

Canadian Baden-Powell Boy Scouts: Bd. Nix. 
J. ( k>rdon Rosser, Toronto. 

United Empire Loyalist Association of Canada: 
Major w . Napier Ceefer, Past-President; Mr. 
K. i;. A. Land, Vice-President; Rev. Canon Alex 
\v. Macnab, Honorary Chaplain, and .Mrs. Macnab; 
Mr. B. If. Chadwick, K.<\, Honorary Genealogist; 
Mr. A. \i. l>;i\i-. Honorary Treasurer; Mrs. 
Edwards Merrill, Misa Emily Merritt, Miss Cath- 
arine Merritt, Miss Lama Clarke, Captain <L s. 
Ryerson, Miss Laura Ryerson, Misa Flora Powel, 
Misa J. J. MacCallum (descendant of Laura 
rd), ^l iss Henrietta Loft, Misa Affa Loft, 
.1 <;. Beam I retired, 1 1th nan. |, Captain 
M. B. Boehm (30th Regt), Mrs. Birdsall (descend- 
ant of Laura Becord), Niagara Falls. 

Council of the Bii Nations Indians, Oshwegan 

... i -..:.... i i.'... . : .. . i ..... 1 :..... . \i ,. 




CENTRAL SECTION OF A PANORAMIC PICTURE OF THE GATHERING 
AT QUEENSTON HEIGHTS 



AT QUEENSTON HEIGHTS 

ter) ; Chief J. C. Martin, Speaker; Chief J. S. 
Johnson (Ka-nen-kwe-yah), Deputy Speaker; 
Chief J. W. M. Elliott (Mohawk); Chief A. G. 
Smith ( De-ka-nen-ra-neh, Bear Clan, Mohawk); 
Chief Elias Lewis (De-ka-ri-ho-gen, Turtle Clan, 
Mohawk) ; Chief Abraham Lewis (Ah-yon-wah-ehs, 
Turtle Clan, Mohawk) ; Chief John A. Gibson 
(Seneca); Chief Peter Isaac (Mudturtle Clan, 
Seneca); Chief Alexander Hill ( Ot-go-taw-yen- 
toun, Deer Clan, Onondaga), Fire Keeper; Chief 
Lawrence Jonathan ( Sha-ko-ken-he, Eel Clan, 
Onondaga), Fire Keeper; Chief David Jamieson 
(Cayuga) ; Chief Jacob Isaac (Hon-wa-sha-de-hon, 
Oneida) ; Chief Joseph Powless ( Ha-dya-dho-nen- 
ta, Wolf Clan, Oneida) ; Chief Richard Hill (Ra- 
rih-whi-tyen-tah, Wolf Clan, Tuscarora) ; Chief 
Elias Carrier (Tuscarora) ; Warrior Frederick O. 
Loft and Mr. Allen W. Johnson, Toronto, Dele- 
gates to Brock Centenary Committee) ; Chief 
Isaiah Sickles (Da-Da-hon-den-wen, Bear Clan, 
Oneida) ; Warrior George Aaron; Daniel McNugh- 
ton (Ha-don-da-he-ha) ; Dennis Palmerston (Tus- 
carora, American Indian). 

Canadian Club, Toronto : Mr. James M. Sinclair, 
Mr. W. J. Clarke, G. Frank Beer, P. H. Jennings, 
J. R. Collins. 

Empire Club, Toronto: Mr. Fred B. Fetherston- 
haugh, K.C., President; Mr. Richard A. Stapells, 
First Vice-President. 

British Empire League, Toronto Branch : James 
P. Murray. 

Sons of Scotland, Toronto: Dr. John Ferguson, 
Mr. Evan Hugh Fraser, representing Camp Alex- 
ander Fraser, S.O.S., Toronto. 

St. Andrew's Society, Toronto : Captain Herbert 
M. Mowat, K.C., U.E.L., Vice-President ; Mr. James 
Murray, Manager; Mr. T. C. Irving, Manager; Mr. 
J. P. Martin, Robert Farquharson. 

37 



BBOCE I ENTENNIAI CELEBRATION 

si. George's Society, Toronto: Sir. John W. 
I tamble Boyd. 

Centre and South Toronto Libera] ConserratiYe 
lation: Sir. Arthur STanKonghnet; Women's 
Branch, lira. Arthur STanKonghnet 

Fork Pioneers 1 Historical Society, Toronto: 
Daniel Lamb, President; John W. Millar, Secre- 
tary; John Harvie, J. <'«. Hughes, w m. Crocker, 
.1. ( '. Moor. J, Hawley, B. Gegg, Josiafa Sogers, 
John r. Ellis, a. B. Wheeler, W. I>. Mcintosh, 
w. .1. Adams 

ECnights of .Malta and the Grand Chapter <>f 
Ladies "f Justice, Toronto: Mr. B. B. A. Land, Mr. 

A. (5. Horwood. Mis. A. (J. Norwood. 

British Women's Society: Miss Perkins. 

imperial order Daughters «»f the Bmpire, 
Toronto: Mrs. A. B. Gk>oderham, Mrs. John Bruce, 
lira B. IV B. Johnstone, Miss Constance Bonlton, 
Mrs. K. Humphreys, Mrs. Win. Humphreys, Mrs 

B. A. James, Miss Laura Brodigan, Miss Watson, 

Miss Maud Watson. 

Women's Canadian Historical Society, Toronto; 
Miss M. Agnes FitzGibbon, Miss Mickle, Mis. 
ECearn, Mrs. Campbell Meyers, Miss Clara Port, 

M i^s .T. .1. Mart 'allnm. 

Brant Historical Society. Brentford: His Hon- 
our Judge Hardy, Honorary President; Mr. s. i\ 
Passmore, President; Miss [sabells Qilkison, Mr. 
T. W. Standing, Vice-PresidentB; Mis. J. v. 
Brown, Secretary; Major n. i\ Leonard, Curator; 
Mr. J.J. Hawkins. 

Lundy's Lane Historical Association, Niagara 
Falls: Mr. J. Jackson, Secretary. 

ThoroW mid Beaver Dams Historical Society: 
T. II. Thompson, President; Miss Amy BalL 

Niagara Historical Society, Niaga»-on-the« 
Lake: Miss Janet Carnochan, President; Ber. J. 0. 
Garrett, Mrs. J. C. Garrett, Mrs Ascher, Mrs 




FLORAL TRIBUTE PLACED ON CENOTAPH, WHERE BROCK FELL. 
BY THE GUERNSEY SOCIETY, TORONTO. 




G. J. Birney. Sgt. John I. Matthews. Q. O. R. 

Dr. Chas. F. Durand. J. L. Birney. Sgt. -Major Geo. Creighton. Q. O. R. 

BROCK CENTENARY CELEBRATION AT QUEENSTON HEIGHTS. 



AT QUEENSTON HEIGHTS 

T. F. Best, Miss M. Ball, Mrs. Bottomley, Miss 
Creed, J. Eckersley, H. Macklem, Mrs. Macklem, 
Wm. Ryan, J. deW. Kandall, Mrs. Randall, E. H. 
Shepherd, Mrs. Shepherd, Miss C. Waters, P. Win- 
throp, Mrs. Winthrop, Niagara; R. Field, Miss 
E. L. Lowery, Mrs. H. Usher, Queenston; Miss 
Amy Ball, Thorold; Miss S. Crysler, Niagara 
Falls ; J. C. Ball, C. A. Case, St. Catharines ; J. S. 
Carstairs, A. J. Clark, Miss E. Long, Mrs. Charles 
Lewis Shaw, Miss Annie Clark, Mr. G. J. Clark, 
Toronto. 

Women's Wentworth Historical Society, Hamil- 
ton: Mrs. John Calder, Miss Calder. 

Canadian Club, Hamilton: Mr. C. E. Kelly, 
President ; G. D. Cadeaur, Secretary ; Mr. Harry D. 
Petrie. 

Women's Canadian Club, Hamilton : Mrs. Harry 
D. Petrie. 

Women's Institute, Queenston: Mrs. A. A. Ram- 
say. 

Imperial Order Daughters of the Empire, Ham- 
ilton: Mrs. Harry D. Petrie, Miss B. Gaviller. 

St. George's Society, London : Mr. N. F. Willmot. 

St. George's Society, Guelph : Mr. H. J. B. Lead- 
lay. 

Canadian Business Women's Club, Toronto: 
Miss H. Williamson, Miss Winnifred Macdonald, 
Miss Effie Telfer, Mrs. Anna Fox. 

Others present were : Mrs. (Col.) William 
Hendrie, Hamilton; D. Macgregor Whyte, artist, 
Oban, Scotland; Lieutenant-Colonel Fred W. 
Macqueen, Toronto; Wm. Rea, Mrs. Rea, nee Jane 
Thomas, daughter of Mr. James Thomas, who was 
one of the contractors for the erection of Brock's 
Monument, and resided at Queenston during the 
entire time the Monument was being erected ; Rev. 
S. A. Laidlaw, Ridgeway; Mr. W. H. Banfield, Mr. 
Benj. P. McKay, Mr. H. E. Wilmot, Mr. Samuel 
O'Bryen, Miss F. May Simpson, Miss Marjorie 

39 



BBOCK CENTENNIAL CELEBRATION 
Gibbon, Miss Perkins, Miss Lain Crowther, 

Mr. William MOSS, Mi- -I. B. Douglas, Mr. H. B, 

Adams, Mis- I >. r. Waite, Miss Helen J. Sturrock, 
Mr. James Young, Mr. John Hawley, lira. Etees, 
Hiss Amelia Bees, Gk>nnie Etees, A.T.C.M., Toronto; 
Mr. Pred Landon, Press Gallery, Ottawa; Mayor 
J. deW. Randall, NFiagara-on-the-Lake; Mrs. a. 
Servos, Miss Mary Servos, St Catharines; Mrs. 
Redhead, Hiss Oliver, Niagara; Wm. Milliken, 
Toronto, and Dr. ( lampbell Meyers, Toronto. 

The Btirring Interest taken by the public in the 
celebration was In do way made more apparent 
than by the large anmber of costlj and beautiful 
floral offerings sent to decorate 1 1 1 * • monument, 
[mmediately on assembling <»n the Heights, these 
expressive tributes were formally received, one by 
one, by < < » l * » t n ■ l Ryerson. The names of the given 
were announced by Mr. Chas. B. Macdonald, who 
also read ou1 the patriotic mottoes and Inscrip- 
tions. The wreaths were then carefully placed on 
th«' monument, and bo oumeroua were they thai 
they almost covered its huge base. The luxuriant 
i\ \ growing «ui the lower masonry was richly tinted 
with autumnal bronze, and on the natural back- 
ground thus unexpectedly provided, the delighted 
celebrators worked out an effective colour scheme. 
It has ti"! been possible t • • obtain b complete list 
of those who brought wreaths with them, but the 
following were uoted j 

A magnificent Cross of St. George, made of oak 
leaves, from the Guernsey Society of Guer 
island, Brock's birthplace, was placed on the ceno- 
taph which marks the place where Brock Ml, by 
Mr. J. L Burney, whose father w&m b lieutenant 
ander Brock and was by his shir when the General 
fatallj stricken. 

.1. A. Macdonell, K.< .. Glengarry, A. McLean 
Macdonell, K.<\. Toronto, and Angus Claude Ma 
donell, K< '.. M. P., Toronto, as representatii 
the family <>f Colonel the Honourable John Mac* 



AT QUEENSTON HEIGHTS 

donell, General Brock's aide-de-camp and military 
secretary, placed on the monument two handsome 
wreaths of laurel leaves, decorated with white and 
pink heather and heavily trimmed with purple, one 
to the memory of Brock, and one, with the motto 
" From Kith and Kin," to the memory of their 
kinsman, Colonel Macdonell. 

Colonel George T. Denison placed a wreath from 
the British Empire League (England), he being 
the President of the Canadian branch. 

Mr. J. Murray McCheyne Clark, K.C., LL.B., 
Toronto, sent a wreath on behalf of the Toronto 
branch of the British Empire League, of which he 
is the President. 

Wreaths were sent by the Canadian Club, 
Toronto; the Canadian Club, Hamilton; the Caro- 
line School pupils, Hamilton; Centre and South 
Toronto Conservative Club, Ladies' Branch; Gov- 
ernor-General's Body Guard, Toronto; 91st Eegi- 
ment Canadian Highlanders, Hamilton; Imperial 
Order Daughters of the Empire, Toronto ; Imperial 
Order Daughters of the Empire, Hamilton; Chap- 
ter General of Canada Knights of Malta and the 
Grand Chapter of Ladies of Justice, Toronto. 

Mrs. Fessenden, as founder of Empire Day, sent 
a sheaf of crimson carnations tied with the national 
colours. To this was attached, with a League of 
the Empire brooch, a card bearing this inscription 
from Palgrave: 

" If the day of a nation's weakness rise, 

Of the little counsels that dare not dare, 
Of a land that no more on herself relies, — 
O breathe of the great ones that were, 
Burn out this taint in the air ! 
The old heart of England restore, 
Till the blood of heroes awake and cry on her 
bosom once more." 

Lundy's Lane Historical Society, Niagara Falls, 
Ont. ; 9th Mississauga Horse ; Niagara District Vet- 

41 



BROCE CENTENNIAL CELEBRATION 

• ■ran Volanteei •>' Association, St. Catharines Mr. 
Jamiesun IMark, as President, placed I wreath <>n 
the grave a^ B tribute From St. Catharines. I'm- 
many years this Association lias placed I wreath 
at the foot of the turnip of Brock at their annual 

• •in Ing .11 QneenetoD I [eights. 

Niagara Palla City, Ontario, Mayor and Alder- 
men; Niagara Historical Society, Niagara-on-the- 
Lake; Niagara Public Schools; Ontario Historic 
cal Society; St. Andrew's Society, Toronto; St. 
George'a Society, Toronto; St George*! Society, 
Hamilton; Sons of Scotland Benevolent Aesocia* 
tion; Sons of Scotland, Camp "Alexander Fraser"; 
Bii Nations [ndians (Oshwegan), Brantford; 
United Empire Loyalists 1 Association of Canada, 
Toronto; Upper Canada Old Bo relation, 

Toronto; Welland County Teachers' Association; 
Wbmen'a Canadian Historical Society, Toronto - 

Wreath of scarlet gladioli ami carnations tied with 

scarlet ami green, the colon <>f the Society, the 
motto in gold mi a green band: "Deeds Speak"; 
Women's Wentworth Historical Society, Hamilton. 
Ifiaa Ball, granddaughter <»f Captain John clem- 
ent Call, carried a lithograph of the battle scene 
(Qneenston Heights) made in 1818 from a sketch 
by .Major Dennis as he lav wounded on the field, 
October L8th, L812. 

In addition to the wreath placed on the monu- 
ment the United Bmpire Loyalists hung a wreath 
<>n the portrait of General Crock in the Parliament 

Buildings, Toronto. 

The scene presented was unique, and in many 

respects a remarkable one. Not the least atriking 

feature was the character of the gathering. 

endanta <»f soldiers who fought with Brock 
w.-fe there, tome of them carrying the burden of 
years, some barelj out of childhood's leash. <>thers, 

and scarcely less inter. -ted in the proceedings, 

ted loyal and patriotic societies, widely 

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AT QUEENSTON HEIGHTS 

from the Six Nations occupied a conspicuous place 
of honour most worthily, their presence recalling 
the signal service rendered by their brave fore- 
fathers at Queenston Heights and in the campaign 
generally. The military detachments added colour 
to the animated scene. The men of the Royal Cana- 
dian Regiment, of the Governor-General's Body 
Guard, of the Forty-eighth Highlanders, the 
Queen's Own, the Royal Grenadiers, the Missis- 
sauga Horse, the Ridley College Cadets, and of 
other corps, were drawn up on the outside of the 
crowd, and beyond them, on the escarpment, the 
St. Catharines' Battery, Field Artillery, was sta- 
tioned. Over all floated the Union Jack. 

An incident of the gathering in which much inter- 
est was shown was the unfurling of an old, historic 
Union Jack from the top of Brock's Monument by 
Miss Helen M. Merrill, Secretary of the Committee. 
When the first monument erected to Brock at 
Queenston was destroyed (17th April, 1840) a 
great indignation meeting was held on the 
Heights. Among those present was a British 
sailor from one of the ships tha,t conveyed the 
Toronto people to the meeting. He had brought 
with him a Union Jack, and climbing to the top 
of the broken shaft, waved it aloft, amid the cheers 
of the assembled patriots. The flag was pre- 
served, and Mr. Comer, Kingston, Ont., readily 
loaned it for this special occasion. Accompanying 
Miss Merrill to the top of the monument with the 
flag were Misses Marjorie FitzGibbon and Laura 
Brodigan and Mr. Allen W. Johnson (Six 
Nations). 

Several relics of the War of 1812-14 were shown 
by their possessors, who held them sacred, among 
them a Union Jack, carried by Chief Paudash 
(Johnson) of the Mississauga Indians, from the 
Ontario Archives Department; early sketches of 
the Queenston battlefield, and pictures of officers 
who took part in the war. 

43 



BROCK CENTENNIAL CELEBRATION 

a i ill** close of the speeches the ^i^ Nation 
[ndianfl present formed m Council, and, In recogni- 
tion of her i i [onorarj Secretary of the 
Celebration Committee, conferred on Miss Helen M. 
Merrill the hononr of tribal membership by the 
name " Kah-ya-tonhs " <»n.- who keeps records. 

The vrreaths baying been placed, the programme 
of the <l;i\ was opened by the firing of a general 
Balnte bj tin- Tih St Catharines Pield Batterj of 
the Royal ( Canadian Artillery. This u;is followed 
by the playing of ;i lamenl for the dead by the 
pipers of the Forty-eighth Highlanders and Pipe- 
Major Dunbar, piper to Lieut.-Colonel William 

I [endrie, of I [amilton. 

Letters expressing regrei for Inability t<> be 

enl were read by Colonel Ryerson from 1 1 1 * * 

following gentlemen : The Bight Honourable u. L 

Borden, M.P., Prime minister of Canada; His 

I I mi. mi i- sir . ) «»ii n ML Gibson, ELC.M.G., Lieutenant- 
Governor of Ontario; Colonel the Honourable 
Samuel Hughes, M.P., Minister of Militia, Ottawa; 
the Honourable Sir James P. Whitney, Prime Min- 

<>f Ontario; Major-General C. J. Mackenzie, 
C.B., C.G.S., Ottawa; Major-General w '. I>. Otter, 
C.V.O., C.B.; Major-General )>. a. Macdonald, 
C.M.G., Ottawa; Brig.-General P. L. Lessard, C.B. ; 
Colonel R. W. Rutherford, M.G.O.; Dr. R. A. Pal- 
coner, President, University <»f Toronto; Hugh 
Munro, M.P.P., < ttengarry. 



ii 




COLON I I GEORCI STERLING RYERSON iHAikMANoh commi: 



THE SPEECHES 

The preliminaries over, the gathering was ad- 
dressed by a number of well known gentlemen whose 
speeches follow: 

COLONEL G. STERLING RYERSON 

Chairman of the General Committee 

This meeting to-day is held to commemorate the 
death of a brave and wise man who died in the de- 
fence of his country. It is not a pean of victory we 
sing but a requiem. We are not here to glorify war ; 
nor is our object to exult over our brave but 
defeated adversary. Rather is it an occasion when 
Canadians should pause and look back over the 
past and give praise to God that in the days of 
stress and storm He raised up great, good and 
brave men who were willing and able to fight for 
their king and country in order that they might 
enjoy civil and religious liberty under the British 
flag, and that they might hand down to their poster- 
ity a fair and goodly heritage which they had won 
from the primeval forests by their labour and sac- 
rifices. The United Empire Loyalists came to this 
country not as those who desired to better their 
condition in life, nor were they possessed by land 
hunger, nor by ideas of political and social aggran- 
disement. They came solely because of their devo- 
tion to the British Crown and Constitution, and 
because they preferred to live in peace and poverty 
under a monarchical Government rather than in 
wealth and discord under republican institutions. 
It was to these men that Brock appealed, nor did 
he appeal in vain when war was declared. It was 

45 



BROCK CENTENNIAL CELEBRATION 

en July 27th, L812, that in reply to u address 
from the Assembly of Upper Caliada he Mid : 

"Gentlemen: When Invaded by ad enemy whose 
aTowed object It the entire conqneel of the Pro- 
vince, the roice of loyalt] at well at of Interest 
callfl alond i«» every person in the sphere to which 
he is placed, to defend his conntry. Onr militia 
have heard the roice and have obeyed it. They 
have evinced bj the promptitude and loyalty of 
their conduct thai they are worthy of the kin^ r 
whom iii»'.\ serve, and "f the constitntion which 
they enjoy; and it affords me particular satisfac- 
tion, thai while I address you as legislators, I speak 
ti» men who, in the day of danger, will be ready to 
i cot <>nly with their counsel, but with arms." 

lie concluded as follows: "We are engaged in 
an awful and eventful contest By unanimity and 
despatch in our councils, and by vigour In our 

operations, we may teach the enemy this h 

that a country defended by free men. enthusiastic' 
ally devoted to the cause of their king and constitu- 
t ion. can never be conquered.' 1 

We know the response, ami others who will fol- 
low me will speak of it in greater detail with 

the Canadian poet we can say ami sin;:: 

•• We boast not of the victory, 
But render homage, deep and just. 

To his and their immortal dust. 

w ho proved so worthy of their trust — 

No lofty pile nor sculptured DUSt 
( *an herald their degree. 

"• No tongue need blazon forth their fame — 
The cheers that stir t he sacred hill 
Are hut the promptings of the will 
That conquered then, that conquers still; 

And general ions \ el shall thrill 

At Brock'i remembered name." 



THE SPEECHES 

Nor must it be supposed that the United Empire 
Loyalists and their children were the only men 
who responded to Brock's call to arms. Our 
gallant French-Canadian compatriots were not a 
whit behind in their hearty response. Coming from 
a brave and adventurous race, they performed 
deeds of valour and endurance equal to the best in 
the defence of our country. The hardy Highland- 
ers of Glengarry, too, were rallied to the flag by 
the Macdonells. Not the least active among these 
Scottish Roman Catholic Loyalists was the Rev. 
Alexander Macdonell, a priest who afterwards 
became the " Good Bishop," a brave and loyal man 
whose country's welfare was ever near to his heart. 
Another Macdonell, George, was second in com- 
mand of the Glengarry Regiment, and still another, 
Colonel John Macdonell, was aide-de-camp to 
Brock in addition to being Attorney-General of 
the Province. He, alas, lost his life in his gallant 
efforts to second his chief at this battle which we 
commemorate to-day. Scotsmen are ever brave 
and loyal, and we have in the Scottish population 
of the country an element on whom we can rely in 
time of danger. 

Let us not forget that we owe not a little to our 
Indian allies in the War of 1812. Tecumseh and 
Brant played great parts. Nor was Brock nig- 
gardly in his praise. After the fall of Detroit he 
says in his despatch to the Governor-General : 

• " The conduct of the Indians, under Colonel 
Elliot, Captain McKee and other officers of the 
department, joined to that of the gallant and brave 
of their respective tribes, has since the commence- 
ment of the war been marked with acts of true 
heroism, and in nothing can they testify more 
strongly their love for their King, their great 
Father, than in following the dictates of honour 
and humanity by which they have hitherto been 
actuated." 

47 



BROCK CENTENNIAL CELEBRATION 
Why <l<» We Single out lirork as ;i hero anion.; |Q 

many who have rendered good service to the coun« 
try? I think thai ii is because he was b man of 
loyalty, rigour, energy and administrative ability; 
tie \\ as the embodiment of t he pat riot Ism 
and loyalty of tin- people; because he had within 
him the power to Inspire others with the spirit 
of patriotism and Belf •sacrifice; and above and 
beyond nil, it is due to his efforts, and to the >i>irit 
of resistance and Imperialism to which he 
form ami substance, that Canada to-day is an 
Integral part of the British Empire, and a daughter 
nation within that great galaxy of the nations 
know n as i he Brit ish Empire. 

What does it mean to be a British citisen? What 
benefits accrue to as by having this status? Are 
imi the paths of the sea open to as and to our com* 
merce by the grace of the British navy? Can we 
not go i" nil parts of the world as Individuals, 
knowing that the Union Jack protects us? Is It 
a small privilege to share in the brave deeds of the 
British army? Are we not proud of our common 
literature, and are not Shakespeare and Milton 
and Tennyson our very own? So\ borrowed 
plumes we are wearing, but our own. And are not 
the benefits of British civil, religious and political 
liberty ours also? [s not British justice and 
administration of the law something to be proud 
of and to be thankful for? What should we do t<> 
ninininin our Btatus ns n partner, n full partner, 
in the imperial concern? Is it not our bounden 
duty to contribute directly to the support of the 
British navj ? Are we to lag behind the other self- 
governing nations of the Empire In this essential 
duty? A thousand times No! A Government 
which will subscribe twenty-five millions of dollars 
for this purpose, and at once, can go to the polls 
in perfect confidence when their time comi 
the people for their verdict 

48 



THE SPEECHES 

Some good people seem to think that the time 
of universal peace is at hand. One has only to 
look at the state of affairs in Europe on this very 
day, to perceive how far we are removed from the 
millennium. In time of peace we must prepare for 
war; preparation for war is the best insurance 
policy against it. We wish to live at peace with 
all nations, but at all costs and at all hazards we 
must defend our shores. Universal military service 
is the duty of the Canadian people in the near 
future. The people will be better for it morally 
and physically. It will surely come, for the policy 
of the future is the maintenance of the integrity of 
the British Empire. We love our country, we 
believe it has a great future; we must make it 
secure. What says a sweet singer of Canada : 

" O strong hearts guarding the birthright of our 
glory, 
Worth your best blood this heritage ye guard : 
Those mighty streams resplendent with story, 

These iron coasts by rage of seas unjarred — 
What fields of peace these bulwarks well secure : 
What vales of plenty these calm floods supply : 
Shall not our love this rough, sweet land make 
sure, 
Her bounds preserve inviolate, though we die : 
O strong hearts of the North 
Let flame your loyalty forth, 
And put the craven and the base to open shame 
Till earth shall know the Child of Nations by her 
Name." 



49 



brock CENTENNIAL CELEBRATION 

MR. ANGUS CLAUDE MACDONKLL, M.l'. 
i oroota 

w ■(• have gathered here to-day ai Oanadiani 
i.. commemorate an event which will be ever 
dear to m and onr posterity. One hundred 
yean ago Sir Isaac Brock, the hero of Upper 
Canada, died In battle upon this field bo 
defence of hii country and the flag, in the past 
we hare learned and heard altogether i<»<> little 
of this truly great man. and <>f what he accom- 
pliahed; it is not too much i<> Bay that he preferred 
Canada to the Empire ami at the same time created 
a national sentiment in Canada which lias ever 
grown and expanded to the present day. The 
national Importance <>f the battle «»f Qneenston 
I Lights, following the capitulation of Detroit, can* 

not be overestimated ; national sentiment or a feel- 
ing <»f nationhood was even then manifesting its. -if 
in this young colony. The peoples who had settled 
in Canada sprang from races which had always 
stood "in Btrongly for national Identity the Eng- 
lish glory in their historic past; the Scottish race, 
to which my forefathers belonged and which to 
some extent I represent, on this occasion, are noted 
for their love <d' country; and bo with the other 
races which made np the United Ehnpire Loyalist 
settlers of Upper Canada at the time of the War 
of L812-14. Our national heart was created and 
siii-fed in this century-old war, and the heartbeats 
have ever become Btronger down to this day. and 
we now look bach through the mists of one hundred 
years to Sir Isaac Brock as the first true source of 
national sentiment which fertilised our country, 
and stamped it as British and Canadian forever. 

Our object In coming here to-day, after we have 
enjoyed one hundred years of blessed peace with 
our neighbours to the south, is not to perpetuate 

national hostility, or SVCO 1" Cherish a meiv mili- 

50 



THE SPEECHES 

tary spirit ; we hope and pray and fully believe that 
this peace will ever exist between us and our 
American brothers. Our object in coming here 
to-day is to honour the name and memory of one 
who was chiefly instrumental in bringing about 
that blessed peace, and in preserving our country 
to enjoy it; and in the name of peace we say that 
the ground upon which we stand to-day is conse- 
crated and distinguished by the valour of our 
soldier hero, who gave up his life on this spot in 
the first great battle of the War of 1812 to purchase 
that peace which a grateful country has ever since 
enjoyed. 

This monument under which we stand is a fit 
emblem of everlasting peace and at the same time 
it fittingly commemorates the glorious death of the 
man in memory of whom it was raised. We Cana- 
dians should ever be grateful to Divine Providence 
for having favoured us with such an able civil and 
military chief, because Brock was both the chief 
executive in our civil affairs and Commander-in- 
Chief of the forces. As Administrator of the 
Province of Upper Canada he was able and pru- 
dent; as Commander-in-Chief he was experienced 
and fearless. It remained, however, for the great 
chief Tecumseh to read the true character of the 
man as man. When they first met, Tecumseh 
turned to his fellow chiefs and allies, and, pointing 
to Brock, who stood by him, said, " This is a man !" 
The correctness of this opinion was borne out in 
both the life and death of Brock. 

Our hero was ever dutiful. He always performed 
his duty and saw that others did likewise. The 
performance of duty was ever uppermost in his 
mind, and his ideals were always high, his aspira- 
tions noble. Permit me to quote here one of his 
first General Orders issued to the troops imme- 
diately upon his taking the field on the 4th of 
July, 1812 : 

51 



BROCK CENTENNIAL CELEBRATION 
•■ 'I'M-* Major-General calli the serious attentioo 

(»f r\.i\ iiiiliii;iin;iii in the efforts making l.\ the 

enemy iii destroy and lay sraete this flourishing 
country; thej must be sensible of the great stake 
thej have to contend for and will, bj their cond ict, 
conyince the enemy that they are aot desirous "f 
bowing their Decks to ;i foreign yoke. The M 
General is determined i" devote his beat energies 
t<> the defence of the country, and has qo doubt 
that, supported by the seal, activity and determina- 
tion <>f tin* loyal Inhabitants of this Province, he 
will successfully repel every hostile attack, and 
preserve t<» them Inviolate all thai they hold dear. w 

The result of the arar proves how well Brock 
himself lived up to these sentiments. 

Let us always remember thai tin* War of L812 
was col of our making. ( >n the L8th of June, 1812, 
President Madison declared arar against Great 
Britain, arith Canada as the point of attack. The 
•• Right of Search," the power to search for contra* 
band or for deserters on board of American ships, 
claimed by Britain, but was resisted by the 
United stairs. Strange to say, this claim was 
abandoned by Great Britain the very day before 
war was declared by President Madison, yet tin- 
war was declared and went <>n. it will be readily 
seen that Canada had absolutely nothing to do 
with this war <>r its alleged cause, the " Right of 
Search"; and yet, In making this war on Canada, 
the United States placed Itself on record as approv- 
ing a forcible invasion of a neighbouring peaceful 
country and of Involving it In all the horrors of 
war. At that time the United States had eight 
million people, Upper Canada had barelj eighty 
thousand. At the eery outset the Americans placed 
apon s arar footing one hundred and seventy-five 

thousand men, srhereas their wen* less than ten 

thousand men of all kinds capable of bearing arms 

in Upper Canada. These lijjures •_ r i\«* us an Idea 

52 



THE SPEECHES 

of the very great disparity both in numbers and 
fighting strength between the two peoples so far 
as we in Upper Canada were concerned. During 
the two and a half years of the war there were no 
less than twelve separate and distinct invasions of 
Canada, and fifty-six military and naval engage- 
ments, the great majority of which were won by 
our forces. While Brock lived his genius and spirit 
guided and inspired the defence of the country, and 
after his death his noble example and the prepara- 
tions he had made for war during his life encour- 
aged and enabled the people to repel the invader. 

Under the guise of strict discipline and the grim 
visage of a soldier and fighting man, Isaac Brock 
possessed a warm human heart ; he was ever solici- 
tous for the comfort and well-being of his people 
and especially of his militia soldiers, and on every 
occasion consistent with the safety of the Province 
he relaxed the rigours of war and would permit the 
militia to return to their homes and farms. This 
is evidenced by many of his Militia General Orders. 
An extract from Militia General Orders of 26th of 
August, 1812, immediately after the capture of 
Detroit, reads as follows: 

" Major-General Brock has ever felt anxious to 
study the comforts and conveniences of the militia, 
but the conduct of the detachments which lately 
accompanied him to Detroit has if possible 
increased his anxiety on this subject. The present 
cessation of hostilities enables him to dispense 
with the services of a large proportion of them for 
a short period." 

We very naturally ask ourselves who these troops 
were for whose welfare General Brock was always 
so solicitous. There were of course some British 
regular troops in Canada, noticeably the Forty- 
ninth, Brock's own regiment, but during the earlier 
stages of the war, and while Brock lived, the men 
of the Province, militia and yeomanry, had to be 

53 



BBOCE CENTENNIAL CELEBRATION 

relied apon mainly; these chieflj were the men «»f 
the STork, Glengarry, Norfolk and other militia 
regiments; everj loyal man capable of bearing arms 
in the Province turned «>ut to fight, or i<> help those 
win) fought The York and Glengarry militia 
served with great distinction, and I may perhaps 
i>«- permitted to refer to the tact thai forty-three 
gentlemen of my own name and family connection 
held commissions In the rations regiments In thai 
war. in connection with thi^ I mighl further men- 
tiini ■ somewhal curious Incident. My own grand* 
father, Colonel Alexander nfacdonell, was taken 
prisoner by the Americans at the r.attle of 
Niagara, and was confined as a prisoner at l.an- 

caster, Pennsylvania, In the very same prison In 
which his own father, Captain Allan nfacdonell, 
had been confined by the Revolutionary States as 
a prisoner of war during the Revolutionary War, 
1776-88. 

Now. happily, all is peace; we have enjoyed one 
hundred yean of peace and we thank Divine Provi- 
dence for if. Wr have had preserved bo us by 

Brock and those who fought and fell with him a 

rich kingdom; we possess it In peace and happiness 
and great prosperity. This is an age of peace, and 
in (his age and generation it is tit that we Should 
advance all the works and arts of peace; ■ very 
great trust In this respect has been handed down 

DO ns and confided to our safe keeping. In these 

davs of our prosperity we must protect and defend 
and develop this great country, this rich heritage 
which the heroism of our forefathers has preserved 
to ns. We 111 usi not only conserve it. but we must 

better it and develop it. and make useful to man 
all these possessions which have Keen udven ns. 
<>nr Ideals and amlutions must always l.e high, and 

if we find ourselves faltering let ns look upon this 

splendid monument and think of the hero in 
honour of whom it w:is raised; and let us at all 
times remember that now as in 1812 in unity ire 



THE SPEECHES 

possess our strength; we must become one people 
if we are to be a great people, with one great com- 
mon country. We have many Provinces but only 
one Canada. 

It has been well said by one of Brock's 
biographers that "it remains for the youth of 
Canada to profoundly cherish the memory of Isaac 
Brock and to never lose an opportunity to follow 
the example set for them by his splendid deeds." 
It has also been truly said that " he fell ere he saw 
the star of his country rise," and, although the sky 
over this battlefield upon which his eyes closed 
forever one hundred years ago was cloudy and 
overcast, yet because he lived and died those who 
came after him enjoy the cloudless sunshine of 
peace and happiness. 

Brock's family motto was " He who guards never 
sleeps." We know how faithfully he guarded and 
safeguarded his country in life, and let us pray 
that in death under this monument he sleeps well. 



HON. DR. R. A. PYNE 

Minister of Education, Ontario 

I have a great deal of pleasure in being present 
here to-day on this historic spot, and am deeply 
sensible of the honour conferred upon me in asking 
me to represent the Government of Ontario on this 
occasion. 

We are meeting here to-day to commemorate the 
deeds of a great man who passed away in his effort 
to save this part of the world for the British 
Empire. We must remember that at the time of 
the battle this part of the world was a wilderness, 
and Sir Isaac Brock's wonderful capabilities 
enabled him to consolidate the people of this 
sparsely settled country, not forgetting our dear 
old friends the Indians. W T ith a handful of people, 
as compared with the country to the south of us, 

55 



BB< >CK CENTENNIAL CELEBRATION 

he made a gallant defence, and, at I said, retained 
tnii pari of the world for the British Empire. Be 
w&b aot onlj ■ great sui.ii.-f. i.ut a diplomat and a 
statesman, and whatever hia vision may have been 
*>w- hundred yean ago, everyone will agree with 
me that ii was ..c su.ii a character thai la- retained 
one of tin- best ami finest parte <>f tin- world for 
Qreat Britain. 

Lei inr sa\ a word regarding the loyalty, the love 
of home and patriotism thai existed at that time 
on this field of battle, and it might !>«• asked, what 
are we doing to-day to create a sentiment of patriot' 
Ism and loyalty t«» our country and flag? Let me 
contrast the efforts made in Canada to create a 
patriotic and national sent inn-tit as compared with 
the country to the south of us. Just here let me 
tell you a short Btory regarding what occurred to 
myself in the city of Detroit some yean ago, before 
l sras a member of the Legislative Assembly or had 
any thought of public life. I haw always remem- 
bered it with tin- keenest appreciation of tin- g 
work in which the people t<> the south of us an 
engaged, Inculcating in tin- youth of the country a 
loyal and patriotic sentiment. I was in Detroit on 
a school i<t< day when the children of each school 
were manhalled together for a march past the 
Detroit City Hall, when they had a Large picture 
of tin- President Burrounded by their national tlau r , 
the stats and Stripes. As each school reached the 
entrance to the City Hall tin- scholan halted, 
sainted, and gave three cheere. To a little urchin 
on the Btreet near me who was selling papen I 
said. ■• Why do they stop and cheer?" Il«' replied, 
•• Thej an cheering for tin- old flag which we 'all 
• < >id < Hory,' and. sir. i.-t me tell yon that Is the flag 
that was never licked!" I possibly did not agree 
with the accuracy of his history, but I realised the 
sentiment that had been created in that youngster's 

mind, a s.-nt iin.-nt of loyalty and patriotism no 
doubt Inculcated in his mind at BChooL 



THE SPEECHES 

You may reasonably ask, " What are we doing to 
create a sentiment of loyalty and patriotism in this 
country?" and I may say that we have succeeded in 
placing the Union Jack, the flag of civilization, over 
every rural school in the Province of Ontario. I 
am also reminded of what took place the other day 
in the State of New Jersey, and as you are a reading 
people, this episode would not pass unnoticed by 
you — it appeared in all of the papers of last week. 
A boy attending a high school in the State of New 
Jersey was asked, as is their custom Monday morn- 
ing, to salute the flag and to announce allegiance to 
the United States. The boy stated that he had no 
objection to salute the flag, but he could not give 
his allegiance to the United States as he was a 
British subject. Mr. President, I find that the State 
regulations of New Jersey call upon every scholar 
in their schools to salute the flag on each Monday 
morning and to declare their allegiance to the 
United States. This boy, being a British subject, 
could not conform to that part of the regulations, 
and was dismissed from the school. What would 
our people think of a regulation of that kind? I 
leave it for your meditation. 

I hope and trust this meeting will be an inspira- 
tion that will extend all over this Dominion of Can- 
ada, and that some definite and proper way shall 
be found to commemorate the deeds of our ancestors 
and those great heroes whose efforts we to-day jubi- 
late in this part of Canada, realizing the great 
heritage that has become ours through the agency 
of those great men who have passed away. May 
Canada always remain a part— and by the 
Almighty's help I believe it will always remain a 
part— of the British Empire. 

Mr. President, let me congratulate the Historical 
Societies, the volunteers and cadets here assembled 
for bringing about this wonderful meeting, which 
I trust will have an influence in making this an 
annual celebration for all time to come. 

57 



BBOCE CENTENNIAL CELEBRATION 
COLONEL GEORGE l. DENISON 

Toronto 

h i .it satisfaction t<> dm t<» be here to-day 

;iik1 !•» know that so many patriotic Societies and 
organiiatioill have clubbed together to roinmem- 

orate so splendidly the one hundredth anniversary 
of the notable victory gained upon this field. 

The great, virile nations of the world have always 
commemorated the brave deeds and victories of 
their fathers. The Romans did everything in their 
power to Inspire their young men with love of 
country by relating Btories of their glorious past. 
Borne of them were evidently Legends, bul they all 

tended to create and instil ;i pure national spirit. 

\'<<v Ave hundred years after Marathon the 
Athenians commemorated the glorious victory won 
Bgainsl overwhelming odds. The Spartans never 
forgot the death of i.eonidas and his three hun- 
dred brave, unflinching followers, who died for the 
honour of their country at Thermopylae Pausanias 

the historian was aide to read six hundred years 
after upon a eoluinn erected to their memory in 
Sparta, the names of the three hundred Spartans 
who had died with their king in that fight 

In Knssia also the same spirit Of reverence for 

their great heroes has always shown itself, i timitry 

Saved Knssia by a great Victory OVer the Tartars 

in 1380. Over live hundred years have elapsed, 

but still the name of Dimitry Donakoi lives in the 
memory and the songs of the Russian people, and 
still on " Dimitry's Saturday," the anniversary of 
the battle, prayers are offered up In memory of the 

brave men who fell <»n that day in defence of their 
country. 

Switzerland is another example Of the patriot- 
ism of a free people. They won their freedom by 
three gr ea t victories won against overwhelming 
odds at Iforgarten, Sempach and Naefels. Naefels 

58 




H 2 



-5 -S 



a-" s 



Q c" 
S-2 



THE SPEECHES 

was the final victory, and every year the people 
commemorate the great event. In solemn proces- 
sion the people revisit the battlefield and the Lan- 
damman tells the fine old story of their deliver- 
ance from foreign rule. The five hundredth anni- 
versary was celebrated in 1888, and people from 
all parts of Switzerland flocked to participate in 
the patriotic and religious services. This national 
spirit has kept Switzerland free although sur- 
rounded by great powers. Her children are all 
trained as soldiers in their public schools, and com- 
pulsory training of all their youth is rigidly 
enforced. We could learn a lesson from them in 
this. 

Canada has shown the same virile spirit as other 
great nations, and we may take pride in the way in 
which our people have recognized what they owe 
to General Brock and the men who fought with 
him on this field one hundred years ago. This spot 
has seen several inspiring demonstrations. 

Brock and Macdonell had been buried in Fort 
George in 1812. In 1824 their remains were 
removed and buried again under the first monu- 
ment here. In 1824 there were no railways, practi- 
cally no steamers, and the population of the Pro- 
vince was very small, and yet in the funeral cortege 
there were 560 men on horseback, 285 carriages 
and wagons, and thousands of persons on foot, in 
all estimated at about ten thousand people, who 
followed the remains the seven miles from Niagara 
to this place. That was a remarkable tribute to 
the memory of the great general. 

In 1840 the monument was blown up on Good 
Friday by an Irish rebel or Fenian named Ben- 
jamin Lett. This aroused intense indignation 
throughout the Province, and a great demonstra- 
tion was organized to arrange for building a new 
monument on a grander scale. The meeting was 
held in July, 1840, and a great number of the fore- 
most men in public life attended. Ten steamers, 

59 



BBOCE CENTENNIAL CELEBRATION 

all crowded with people, moved op the river In 
procession. About eight thousand person! were 
\ uev< monument wbm decided upon and 
ii i< here above us qow. it is a wonderful monu- 
ment i«> have been erected by ;i Bmall community 
when there wbm very little wealth In the country. 
This monument Ii ai a column the finest and grand* 
est i have seen. I put it far above the column to 
Alexander I. in front <»f the Winter Palace in 
St. Petersburg, ii Is about forty feet higher than 
the one t<> Nelson In Trafalgar Square. The 
National German Monument In the Neiderwald 
not strike me as being bo Impressive. 
In L859, "ii the anniversary of the battle, there 
w;i^ another great gathering here for the inaugura- 
tion of the monument I was here with a detach- 
ment of my corps ;m<l there rare a great many 
other detachments and people, and about two hun« 
dred of ii»«- <>M veterans <>f the war who came again 
to do honour t<> their dead chief, [n the follow- 
ing year the late King was visiting Canada, and 
naturally he came here t«» <l<» honour to the memory 
<»f the great general and to meet the surviving 
veterans of the war. There was another l: i ■ • * : 1 1 
demonstration and I was there on that occasion 
also. Could anything show more clearly the deep 
hold that General Brock had <>n the affection 
and memory of the Canadian people than th 
repeated gatherings? And now, after another fifty- 
two years, there is this splendid demonstration of 
respect and gratitude. I am proud thai our people 
have done their duty to-day, and l hope that our 
action will Inspire our children ;i hundred yean 
hence i<> commemorate i lu- great event I make uo 
apologies for coming here to glory over the \ Ictorj . 
Brock died <»n this field and our fathers fought here 
that we simuM !>'• a free and Independent people, 
and we have enjoyed that position for a hundred 
years, thanks to their efforts. How can we use that 
freedom better, than In testifying in the heartiest 

60 




K 3 
C • 






K i 
£ "o 



THE SPEECHES 

manner our gratitude and appreciation for the 
priceless boon which we owe to those who then 
won it for us ! 

MR. J. A. MACDONELL, K.C. 

Glengarry, Ontario 

Permit me to express on behalf of the members of 
this generation of the family to which the former 
Attorney-General Macdonell belonged, my warm 
appreciation of the honour which was done to that 
gentleman's memory, by the invitation which in 
terms so generous and complimentary and so 
appreciative of his services, was extended to me as 
the representative of his family, to be present on 
this most interesting occasion as the special guest 
of your Committee. 

We are assembled here to-day to commemorate 
the Centennial Anniversary of the death of Sir 
Isaac Brock, to give evidence that we Canadians 
hold in grateful remembrance the inestimable ser- 
vices which he rendered to our country, and to 
record it as our firm and solemn conviction that 
it is to that illustrious man of glorious memory 
we owe the preservation of this country, our con- 
nection with the Motherland and those British 
institutions which it is our happiness now to enjoy. 

It was indeed a privilege for any man to have 
served under Sir Isaac Brock, to have been in any 
way associated with him, and more especially to 
have been placed in a position whereby he was 
enabled to second his indomitable efforts. It was 
the good fortune of Attorney-General Macdonell 
to have been associated with him in a threefold 
capacity. First he was connected with him by the 
most intimate ties of private friendship, for there 
existed between them the most perfect confidence 
and a mutual regard, amounting, as is frequently 

61 



BBOCK CENTENNIAL CELEBRATION 

the case with men of generous Impulse, to per- 
sonal affection. Then ai Attorney-General of the 
Province and chief law adviser of the Crown, he 
was the trusted legal adviser of General Brock In 
bis capacity of President of the Council of the Pro- 
vince, and although but s young man be was equal 
to tin- exigencies <>f thai critical period. 

Upon the declaration of war, the Souse of 
mM\ was hastily convened In extra session 
on the 27th July, when General Brock, In the 
Speech from the Throne, made use of ill"-'' ever- 
memorable \\<»r<ls: " \\v are engaged In an awful 
and eventful contest By unanimity and despatch 
in our councils and by vigour In our operations 
we will teach the enemy this lesson : that a country 
defended by free men. enthusiastically devoted to 
the cause of their King and Constitution, can 
never be conquered. 1 ' I'm the Souse proved recal- 
citrant, and refused to comply with Brock's request 
t<> suspend the Sal i rpus Act it was the 
Attorney-General who solved the difficulty by giv- 
ing it as his legal opinion that tfajor-General 
Brock, as Administrator <>f the Province, onder 
the authority of his Commission from the King, 
had the power to dissolve the House and proclaim 
martial law, and that onder the circumstances it 
his duty to do so. This opinion was con- 
curred in by his colleagues in the Government, and. 
accordingly, the Government as such tendered it 
heir unanimous advice to the Administrator, 
who Immediately acted upon it. and thereby saved 
tin- country. 

a- b consequence of this drastic measure, the 
three leaders of the Opposition in tin- Legislature 

Joseph Willcocks, Benjamin Ifallory and Abra- 
ham Harkle who had been chiefly Instrumental 
up to this time In thwarting all Brock's efforts, 
Immediately fled t<» the Qnited States, with which 
they had long been in traitorous Intercourse, and 

where all their sympathies lay. W'illeoeks being 



THE SPEECHES 

eventually killed at the battle of Fort Erie, in 1814, 
in command of an American regiment, and Mallory 
serving throughout the war as a major in the same 
corps. 

This measure enabled Brock also to deal sum- 
marily with their disloyal partisans and followers, 
much more numerous and infinitely more danger- 
ous than is now generally supposed. He imme- 
diately issued a proclamation ordering all persons 
suspected of conniving with the enemy to be appre- 
hended, and treated according to law. Those who 
had not taken the oath of allegiance were ordered 
to do so or leave the Province ; many were sent out 
of the country; large numbers left of their own 
accord; those who refused to take the oath or to 
take up arms to defend the country, and remained 
in the Province after a given date, were declared 
to be enemies and spies, and were treated accord- 
ingly ; a large number of this disloyal element were 
arrested and imprisoned early in the war, as on the 
day of the Battle of Queenston Heights the jail 
and Court House at Niagara as well as the block- 
house at Fort George were filled with political 
prisoners, over three hundred aliens and traitors 
being in custody, some of whom were tried and 
sentenced to death, while others were sent to 
Quebec for imprisonment. 

This pressing and important business having 
been accomplished, General Brock entered actively 
upon his campaign, and determined upon offensive 
measures by an assault upon Detroit. Colonel 
Macdonell accompanied him as his military secre- 
tary and aide-de-camp. When the American, Gen- 
eral Hull, in command of a greatly superior force 
and in possession of a strongly fortified position, 
on the 16th August proposed a cessation of hostili- 
ties with a view to his surrender, it was Colonel 
Macdonell whom General Brock entrusted with 
the delicate and important task of preparing the 
terms of capitulation. He returned within an hour 

63 



BROCK CENTENNIAL CELEBRATION 

frith the conditions, which were Immediately con* 
firmed bj General Brock, whereby Fort Detroit 
with 59,700 square miles "f American territory — 
the wh<»ic State of Michigan wai surrendered. 
2,500 officers and men became prisoners of war, 
and l!.."<»ii stand of ;inns, thirty-three pieces of 
cannon, the Adams brig-of-war, and and 

munitions of war to the value <>f £40,000, all so 
sorely needed by the Canadian mi lit la, were handed 
over i" the British < Commander. 

Gh neral Brock in his despatch i«» the Some Gov- 
ernment announcing the capture of Detroit, und 
which w;is published In s (Gazette Extraordinary 
in London <»n the 6th October, with characteristic 
generosity bore testimony t«» the services of his 
friend in the following terms: u In the attainment 
<»r this Lmportanl ]»<»int gentlemen of the first char- 
acter and Influence Bhowed an example highly 
creditable t<> them, and I cannot on ihis occasion 
avoid mentioning the essentia] assistance I derived 
from John Hacdonell, Esquire, His Majesty's 
Attorney-General, who from the beginning of the 
war bas honoured me with bis services as my Pro- 
vincial Aide de-t lamp/ 1 

Brock's biographer and nephew, Mr. Ferdinand 
Brock Tupper, graphically tells the end of them 
both, almost apon the spot upon which we now 
stand. After mention <»f the hasty gallop from 
Port George, at dawn <»n the L3th October, when 
it was found that the Americans had during tin- 
night passed over the Niagara River and succeeded 
in gaining the crest of the heights in rear "f the 
battery, and Brock's desperate effort t" dislodge 
them, he goes on to say: "The Americans now 
opened s heavy fire <>f musketry, and. conspicuous 
from his dress, ids height, and the enthusiasm with 
which he animated ids little band, the British com- 
mander was soon singled out, and he fell about 
an hour after his arrival, the fatal bullet entering 
his right breast and passing through bis left side. 

64 



THE SPEECHES 

He lived only long enough to request that his fall 
might not be noticed, or prevent the advance of his 
brave troops. The lifeless body was immediately 
conveyed into a house at Queenston, where it 
remained until the afternoon, unperceived of the 
enemy. His aide-de-camp, Lieutenant-Colonel Mac- 
donell, Attorney-General of Upper Canada — a fine, 
promising young man — was mortally wounded soon 
after his chief, and died the next day, at the early 
age of twenty-seven years. Although one bullet had 
passed through his body, and he was wounded in 
four places, yet he survived twenty hours, and 
during a period of excruciating agony his thoughts 
and words were constantly occupied in lamenta- 
tions for his deceased commander and friend. He 
fell while gallantly charging, with the hereditary 
courage of his race, up the hill with 190 men, 
chiefly of the York Volunteers, by which charge 
the enemy was compelled to spike the eighteen- 
pounders in the battery there ; and his memory will 
be cherished as long as courage and devotion are 
reverenced in the Province." 

General Sheaffe, who succeeded General Brock 
upon the death of the latter, in his despatch 
announcing the victory which eventually crowned 
our arms, thus couples their names : " . . . No 
officer was killed besides Major-General Brock, one 
of the most gallant and zealous officers in His Maj- 
esty's service, whose loss cannot be too much 
deplored, and Lieutenant-Colonel Macdonell, Pro- 
vincial Aide-de-Camp, whose gallantry and merit 
rendered him worthy of his chief." 

The Prince Kegent thus acknowledged the 
communication through the Governor-General, by 
whom it had been forwarded : " His Royal High- 
ness, the Prince Regent, is fully aware of the severe 
loss which His Majesty's service has experienced 
in the death of Major-General Sir Isaac Brock. 
This would have been sufficient to have clouded a 
victory of much greater importance. His Majesty 

65 



BBOCE CENTENNIAL CELEBRATION 

h;i^ lost ill him not onlv an able ami lm-ritorious 

officer, i>ut one who, in the exercise of his functions 
of Proi isional Lieutenant-Governor of the Pro- 
vince, displayed qualities admirably adapted to 
awe the disloyal, to reconcile the wavering and t<» 
animate the great mass of the Inhabitant! ;iL;;tinst 
Bncceaaiye attempt! of the enemy to Invade the Pro- 
vince, in the last of which he unhappily fell, too 
prodigal of that life of which bis eminent service! 
had taught ns to understand the value. His Boyal 
BUghness has also been pleased to express his 
regret at the Loss which tin- Province must experi- 
ence in the death of the Attorney-General, lir. 
Bfacdonell, whose zealous co-operation with EUr 

[saac Brock will rellecl lasting honour on his 

memory." in commnnicating the above to tlm 
father of the Attorney-General, Lieutenant-Colonel 
Coffin, P.A.D.C., under date York, March 20th, 
1818, stated by command of Bis Honour the Prest 
<lcnt that "it would doubtless afford some satis- 
faction to all thf members of the family to which 
the late Attorney-General was so ^real an orna- 
ment to learn that his merit has been recognised 
even by tlm Royal Personage who wields the sceptre 
of the British Empire, and on which His Sononr 
commands me to declare his personal gratification.' 1 

No medal was struck for Qneenston Heights, but 
when some time afterwards the rewards for the 
capture of Detroit were distributed, gold medals 
were deposited by the Sovereign with the families 
of Major-Genera] Brock ami Colonel Ifacdonell, 
and the King stated In each Instance that it was 
done "in token of the respect which His Majesty 
entertains for the memory of that officer." 

The graciously worded despatch of the Prince 

:it mentioned the only fault of Bir I 

Like Nelson he \\;i^ too prodigal of his 

life; hut as, alike by his services ami his glorious 

death, Nelson became the hero ami the Idol "f the 

British people, so bj bis services and his death 



THE SPEECHES 

Brock became for all time the hero of the people 
of this Province, and his memory will never die. 
Although he had served ten years in Canada, he 
had held his position as Administrator of Upper 
Canada but a few days over a year; yet that 
short time was sufficient to obtain for his name 
immortality, so long as the English language can 
narrate what in that brief period he accomplished, 
and hold forth for succeeding generations of 
British subjects in Canada and throughout the 
Empire the bright example of his genius and his 
gallantry, and the indomitable spirit with which 
he contended and overcame difficulties, apparently 
insurmountable, and which were sufficient to appal 
a heart even as stout and to tax to the uttermost a 
mind as versatile and resourceful as his. 

Under this stately column he found a fitting 
tomb, and the ardent young friend, Glengarry's 
representative, who fell with him, lies beside him. 



DR. JAMES L. HUGHES 

Chief Inspector of Schools, Toronto 

I had the honour of requesting the Hon. Dr. 
Pyne, Minister of Education, to call the atten- 
tion of the School Boards of Ontario to the 
importance of celebrating the hundredth anniver- 
sary of the victory so gallantly won on these 
heights, and of paying due tribute to the 
brave men and women who so nobly and 
heroically struggled to preserve for us the bless- 
ings of British liberty, and of unity with our 
motherland. To these men and women of firm 
faith and strong heart we give gratitude and rever- 
ence to-day, and especially to the statesman and 
hero who at the foot of these heights died a hun- 
dred years ago while leading Canadian volunteers 
to drive back invaders who without just cause had 

67 



BROCK CENTENNIAL CELEBRATION 

dared t«> come to Canada with the avowed purpose 

of forcibly taking possession of our eountry. 

in the judgment of the committee thai arranged 
for the celebration of « ii<- gloriom deedi of our 
early history, ii is most Important thai Canadian 
children should be trained to revere the memoriee 
of the great and trne men and women of one hun- 
dred yean ago, and to rejoice because of the vic- 
tories won I'V them for fr Lorn and for Imperial 

unity. 

There are men who have written to the news- 
papers objecting to the course ire ad-.pi.-d. Thej 
Beem to think ii Improper to le1 our children know- 
that our country was ever In danger, and that it 
was Bayed by the unselfish devotion and the brave 
deeds of our ancestors. However, in spin- of their 
protests, based on weak and unpatriotic sentiment, 
we Intend to teach young Canadians to remember 
the patriotism and valour of the founders and 
defenders <»f Canada, and to train them to become 
worthy bu< - to the men and women who made 

such Bacriflces for them. 

We have no wish t<> till the hearts of the pupils 

in our BChoolS with animosity towards the greal 

nation whose fertile fields and happy homes we 
beyond the greal river thai separates it from our 
own fair land. We wish to develop In our children 

a spirit that will lead them to >a\ t" tie- people 

across onr borderland nol "Hands off ''ana-' 
hut '-Hands together to achieve for God and for 
humanity tie- highest ami broadest and truest 
Ideals that have been revealed to tie- Anglo-Saxon 
rao 

We do not wish to make our children quarrel* 
some or offensive, bnl we do wish them to he 
patriotic Canadians, full of loyalty to their flag, 
their Empire, ami their King. We wish them t" 
understand what their predecessors did in order 
that they may have faith in themselves ami in their 
country; and we Intend that thej shall learn the 



THE SPEECHES 

achievements of the past in order that they may 
have a true basis for their own manhood and 
womanhood. True reverence for courage and self- 
sacrifice, fidelity to principle, and devotion to home 
and country in time of need, is a fundamental ele- 
ment of strong, true character. The facts of his- 
tory may have little influence in developing char- 
acter, but the noble deeds of our ancestors per- 
formed for high purposes are the surest sources for 
the development of the strong and true emotions 
that make human character vital instead of inert. 
Emotions form the battery power of character, and 
among the emotions that give strength and virility 
and beauty to character, reverence for the dead 
who wisely struggled and nobly achieved, is surely 
one of the most productive of dignified and trans- 
forming character. 

The history of the past is valuable chiefly for the 
opportunities it gives to be stirred to deep, true 
enthusiasm for heroism, for honour, for patriotism, 
for love of freedom, for devotion to duty, and for 
sublime self-sacrifice for high ideals. Whatever 
else we may neglect in the training of the voung, I 
trust we shall never fail to fill their hearts with 
profound reverence for the men and women of the 
past to whom they owe so much. 

We should teach other lessons from the War of 
1812. We should fill each child's life with a splen- 
did courage that can never be dismayed, by telling 
how a few determined settlers scattered widely 
over a new country successfully repelled invading 
armies coming from a country with a population 
twenty-fold larger. We should teach reverence 
not only for manhood but for womanhood by 
recounting the terrible hardships endured wil- 
lingly by Canadian women generally, as well as by 
proudly relating the noble work done by individual 
women, of whom Laura Secord was so conspicuous 
an example. 

69 



BBOCE CENTENNIAL CELEBRATION 

A certain class of thoughtless people call us 
•■ flag w avers " if wr strive t(» give our young i»**< »j>l*» 
a true conception of the value of national life, ami 
«>f their dutj i" haTe a true love for their conntrj 
and for their Bmpire. if a flag-waver humus one 
whit is prond <tf a noble ancestry, and determined 
io prove worthy of ih<' race from which lie Bprnng; 

one w 1 1 • » knowt thai his forefathers gave a wider 

meaning to freedom, and who Intends to perpetnate 
liberty and ;ii»l In giving it a still broader and 
higher value; one who is grateful because his 
Bmpire represents the grandest revelation of unity 
\rt made known i<» humanity and who accepts iiiis 
revelation as ■ sacred trust, then I am a flag-waver, 
;iini I shall make every boy and girl whom i can 
ever Influence a flag-waver who loves his flag and 
waves it because it represents freedom, and honour, 
ami justice, and truth, and unity, and a glorious 
history, the most triumphantly progressive thai 
has been achieved by any nation In the development 
of the world. 

We do well t<> celebrate the great deeds of the 
men and women of a hundred yr;irs ago, and h 
our children to give them reverence, but it If 
more Important for us to consider what the people 

a hundred years heme will think of us than to 

glorify the triumphs of a hundred years ago. The 
work of the world is not done. Evolution to higher 
ideals goes ever <>n. Bach succeeding generation 
has greater responsibilities and higher duties than 
the one that preceded it. The greatest lesson we 
can learn from the past is that we should prove 
true to the opportunities of our time; that we 

should with unselfish motive and undaunted hearts 

accept the responsibilities that come t«> us as part' 
ners In our magnificent Empire, and share In the 
achievement of greater triumphs for freedom and 
justice than have ever been recorded In the p;ist. 

inspired by the records of such men as Brock, 
at the foot of whose monument we stand to-day and 

70 




O .5 

= "3 

O e 



u . 
u t 

26 



r ° 









THE SPEECHES 

look with reminiscent glance over the marvellous 
progress of a hundred glorious years, let us deter- 
mine that we shall do our part to make the coming 
century more fruitful than the past. 

CHIEF A. G. SMITH 

Six Nation Indians, Grand River Reserve 

If a Mohawk Chief had in his make-up a particle 
of timidity I fear that your cheering would have 
frightened or disconcerted me. 

Now, contrary to the usual preface to speeches 
on occasions of this nature, let me instead say that 
my pleasure in addressing you this afternoon is 
not altogether unalloyed, as I look back to the 
remote past, when my ancestors could make or 
unmake nations on this continent ; their favour was 
then courted by the different European nations, 
until finally they entered into an alliance or treaty 
with the military authorities of the British nation, 
and which the Six Nations has ever held inviolate. 

They, however, in my humble opinion, made a 
serious mistake in taking sides in the War of 
American Independence, as their treaty obliga- 
tions only required them to assist the British when 
attacked by a foreign power and not in a case of 
family quarrel, so they could have consistently 
taken a neutral ground. It is not, however, so 
surprising that they took the step they did when 
we consider the influences that were brought to 
bear on them and the inducements that were held 
out to them. Consider the influence of Tha-yen-da- 
ne-gea — Brant, their war chief — and their own 
love of war. War with them was as religion. Add 
to these the influence of Sir William Johnson and 
others. 

And there was the very strong inducement that 
they would be guaranteed a perpetual independ- 

71 



BBOCK CENTENNIAL CELEBRATION 
ence and self-government, and also that they would 

be amply lndemniti«'<l for any and all losses that 

they might sustain by their services. Now we 
know thai these pledgee were not adequately ful- 
filled, yet, aotwithetanding this fact, the Sii 
Nation! remained faithful in their adherence to 

the I 'tit ish < '\n\\ n. 

And now allow me to come down to the eventful 
t inns which more Immediately concern oi this 

afteri a. Lei me al the ontael briefly bnl moel 

emphatically aaaerl thai in those troublous times 
no followers of the Illustrious Brock, whose fall and 
victory we are this afternoon commemorating, 
fought more bravely than the Bii Nations; their 
very admiration <>f thai greal and 'nave general 
w as as a spur to their bravery. 

I think I may truthfully say that had it nol been 
for the bravery of the ^ix Nations the Quion Jack 
would not today be waving over these historic 
heights. 

The six Nations bave never bad an historian of 
their own to record the brave deeds of valour of 
their warriors, and therefore gel bnl scant justice 
in the historical records <>f this country; naturally 
the historians magnify the achievements of their 
own peoples, while I claim thai more credit should 
be given my own people. 

Lei me Instance one or two samples of justice 
doled "in to my people In various lines. Sou know 

that in Ontario manhood suH'rauc prevails in poli- 
tical elections, so that any foreigner after six 
months* residence can have every privilege of a 

full citizen, although he may have no higher inter- 
est in the country than as a plare in which to earn 

his bread ami butter, ami whose ancestors have 
aever shed a drop of blood for its retention by 

Britain, and who himself may QeVBI fight in its 

defence, but who maj '_'" back to fight bis own 
country's battles, perhaps even against Britain. 

72 



THE SPEECHES 

But the original owners of this country, proved 
to be men on many a battlefield, who fought and 
won Britain's battles, ceased to be men and became 
minors after the battles were won and British pre- 
dominance secured, and therefore are not allowed 
men's privileges. 

I contend that if Canada is to do justice (and 1 
believe it will) to the Six Nations, it will have to 
give them representation on the floor of the House 
of Commons and also respect the .treaty conces- 
sions made to them, instead of gradually curtailing 
their tribal rights and privileges. These blood- 
bought rights and privileges are just as dear to the 
Six Nations as similar ones are to any other nation. 
I fear, Mr. Chairman, that I have already taken 
up my allotted time, so will refrain from giving all 
the examples of our loyalty I would have liked to 
present to this vast assemblage. Allow me, how- 
ever, to say that as this is an influential gathering, 
so I hope that each individual of influence will go 
back to his or her sphere of usefulness and listen 
to the cry for justice on behalf of the Six Nations, 
fully appreciating the fact that it is " up to you " 
to see to it that justice is done this people who have 
rendered such inestimable service to this country 
and to Britain. 

My remarks may not suit everyQne, but I cannot 
help that. I am not courting popularity, for I am 
getting too old for that, and I am descended from 
too long a line of brave warriors to be afraid to 
speak the truth, whether it be pleasant or other- 
wise. 

Thanking you, Mr. Chairman, ladies and gentle- 
men, for the privilege and honour of addressing 
this influential assemblage and for the kind hear- 
ing and attention accorded to me. 

[At the conclusion of Chief Smith's speech three 
rousing war whoops were given, led by Chiefs John- 
son and Elliott, and joined in by all present.] 

73 



BBOCE CENTENNIAL CELEBRATION 
WARRIOR P. ONONDEYOH LOFT 

Six Nation Indians 

We are assembled to-day on this historic spot to 
commemorate the memory of a great soldier, a 
patriot and renowned son of the Empire of which 
we are a part 

I ;im pleased to aote the presence of bo many 
chiefs and warriors of the Bii Nations who are 
here assembled on the basis of one common cil 
ship with yon, to join with our white brethren to 
pay respect and homage to the late hero, General 
Sir [saac Brock, who offered his life as a sacrifice 
in the canse he so gallantly defended. Be was the 
brave l«*a< l<r who led the whit.' man and Indian in 
tin- defence of our country, our flag, and all that 
pertained to the maintenance <>f British Institu- 

t ions. 

< >ur act tO-day is a Doble one. It is of a kind that 

touches deep down into the heart that throbs with 
affection's glow, it is one worthy of emulation 

by our posterity. We as a people should never 1<>sc 
Bight <»f the great Importance that must attach to 

this occasion, and of the duty we owe to our chil- 
dren to do all we can to Impress their minds with 

the precepts of Loyalty to the king ami crown, that 
should he ever steadfast and Immovable. 

As a member of the six Nations it is not alto- 
gether my wish that I should he looked upon on 

this occasion as a mere representative of my 
nation, but rather as a representative of the noble 

native Indian race which has so conspicuously 

identified itself with British arms at critical 

periods in the history of our fair Dominion. 

One hundred years ago our country and people 

u <•!■•• befogged by conditions that were isy^y and 
ominous, it was very uncertain as to the part, if 
any, the Indians would take in the Impending con- 
flict 



THE SPEECHES 

From this spot, almost, General Brock set out 
for Amherstburg to arrange plans of campaign, 
and there met and shook hands with Tecumseh, 
this patriot Indian giving the assurance to his 
chief in command of the forces that he and his 
united Indian tribes composed of the Shawanoes, 
Wyandottes, Chippewas, Ottawas, Foxes and 
others, were ready to go into the field of action in 
defence of the British cause. 

Like General Brock, this noble red man, as a 
leader of his kinsmen, also sacrificed his life in 
the cause of his king and country. And sad is it 
to say that not even a heave of the turf marks his 
last resting-place. 

It is not for me to laud or unduly magnify the 
important part the Indians have played in wars 
that have marked our country's history-making: 
but should such an emergency again present 
itself, I feel confident that the Indians will never 
be found wanting. 



MR. CHARLES R. McCULLOUGH 

Honorary President of the Association of Canadian Clubs 

I tender my thanks to the Committee for honour- 
ing the hundred clubs of the Dominion by inviting 
their honorary president to take part in the pro- 
ceedings of this great day. 

The real celebration of the centenary of the 
battle and the fitting remembrance of the hero who 
gave up his life for Canada one hundred years ago, 
has already taken place in the six thousand schools 
by six hundred thousand scholars of this premier 
Province of Ontario. By this vast army of patriots 
in the making there has been celebrated within the 
past few days in song and story the splendid hero- 
ism of the immortal Brock, and the work done by 
him for our common country a century ago. 

75 



BBOCE CENTENNIAL CELEBRATION 

in that great work he was nobly seconded i » > tin- 
brilliant young Qlengarrian Ifacdonell, who, like 
his iiiusi i inns leader, fell on the slope <>f this 
sacred hill. 

in ihis dread conteai there f< > m l:1i t side by side 
regular soldier and militiaman; ili«- noble red man 
and the freed black man contended against i com* 
mon enemy to thai freedom ami that constitution 
that every Briton Lotos so welL 

it was Indeed a prond thing for Canadians t" 
remember that whilst there was a great imperial 
officer t<> lead the little band, close beside him in 

tin- great straggle there ever st l a valorous 

Canadian aide-de-camp. Fes, tor every regular 
that contended for the maintenance of British law 
ami authority in this Canada <>f ours there were 
fighting by his side the farmer ami the tradesman 
of those heroic days. 

Was not this prophetic of that future co-opera- 
tion between mother and daughter Btates? Was it 
not full <>f the deepest meaning for us of the twen- 
tieth century? Could we not saj "Thy people are 
my people ami my people thy people"? As in the 
days of yore, so in these <lays of Canada's abound' 
Ing prosperity and Increasing national greatness, 
there would be found men ami means for any 
national or Imperial emergency thai tin- future 
might hare in store tor us. 

our magnificently proportioned Canada must 
have a magnificently proportioned soul if she 
would fulfil her high destiny of eventual Leader- 
ship in tin- hand of sister nations within an Empire 

Indissolubly bound by ties of love ami sacrifice. 
in enlarging tin- soul of our people such celebra- 
tions as these have their sure ami certain part, ami 

tin' thrill of Brock's great name will stir this 
people's soul so long as Canada shall endure. 



a brief and eloquent speech was also made by 
.Mr. w. n. German, M.P., Welland, Ont 

76 




X x 



< 

c 
U o 



■ Q 
S fc 



APPENDIX I. 

HIGHLAND HEROES IN THE WAR OF 
1812-14* 

By Dr. Alexander Fraser, Toronto 

While with a fine sense of fitness the part taken 
by the men of Glengarry, Ontario, in the 1812-14 
war is rarely referred to by the descendants of those 
who fought so well and fell for their country, it is 
but meet on a centennial occasion as is now being 
celebrated that the distinguished services of the 
clansmen should not be forgotten. Much, indeed, 
could be said of the Macdonells, Macdonalds, Mac- 
leans, MacMillans, Chisholms, Camerons and 
Grants, as well as of other kindred families, who 
displayed all the ardour of the Highland moun- 
taineer in defence of home and country, and who 
occupied second place then nor subsequently when 
the war-note sounded. These brief lines, however, 
must deal only with Lieutenant-Colonel John Mac- 
donell, who fell mortally wounded at Queenston 
Heights, and whose name cannot be disassociated 
in history from that of Brock, the chief hero of the 
war. 

The many intermarriages in the course of genera- 
tions between members of different houses of the 
Glengarry branch of Clan Donald have created 
genealogical intricacies not always threaded by the 
general reader. The identity of Colonel John Mac- 
donell, the Queenston hero, however, need never 
have been in doubt. He was descended from Angus 
Macdonell of Greenfield, a grandson of Ranald, 

* Reprinted from the Toronto Globe and Mail and Empire 
of the 12th of October 1912. 

77 



BROCK CENTENNIAL CELEBRATION 

the ninth chief of Glengarrj In Gaelic, styled 
•■ Mac Ic a lasdair." The Macdonells of Greenfield 
are aearer the main line of the Glengarry family 
than tin- cadet branches <>f Aberchalder, Cnllachie 
ami Leek manj of whom settled in Canada, who 
left iif parent stock at an earlier period. They 
might reasonably !>'• regarded as r ep r e s e ntative of 
all tin' Glengarry Macdonells of Canada. 

Angns Macdonell of Greenfield had one son, Alex- 
ander, win. came t<» Canada in lT'.ti'. lit- was mar- 
ried in Scotland t<» a daughter <>f Alexander Mac- 
done]] of Aberchalder (Captain 1st Battalion, 
King's Royal Regiment of New Fork), ami among 
tin- issne of that marriage were Duncan, who sue- 
ceeded his father, John, who fell with Brock, ami 
Donald, who figured at Ogdensbnrg, 1818. 

.John Macdonell (Qneenston) was born in L785, 
in Scotland, and with his family came t" Canada 
when scvm years <>f m.uv. in dne course in- became 
member of the Legislature for < Hengarry and Attor- 
ney General for Qpper Canada. He was a Colonel 
of .Militia, and <>n the outbreak of the war <»f L812 
acted as Military Secretary and Provincia] A. DC. 
t.i General Sir Isaac Brock. His legal talents were 
regarded as of high order, and of his military abili- 
ties Brock entertained a very good opinion Indeed 
.\s President of the Council and Administrator of 
Qpper Canada, General Brock occupied the highest 
civil position in the Province, ami the chief military 
position as General of the forces onder his com- 
mand. 

Lieutenant < lolonel John Macdonell, as Attorney- 
General, filled the next highest dvU position t.> 
Brock in Upper Canada, and, as Military Secretary 
ami P.A.D.C., was next highest in Importance, if 
not in rank, to his chief in the held. Testimony 
was warmly borne by some <>f the must capable t<» 
judge, of his dominance in the military operations, 
the subsequent negotiations, at 1 Detroit, and the 
78 



APPENDIX I 

papers in connection therewith, which he is said to 
have drafted, bear the mark of his patriotic and 
generous mind. The Prince Regent, in expressing 
his regret at the loss which the country must expe- 
rience by the death of the Attorney-General, 
declared that " his zealous co-operation with Sir 
Isaac Brock would reflect lasting honour on his 
memory." Like Brock, he died unmarried; like 
him, too, he was engaged to be married at the time 
of his death. His fiancee was Miss Powell, daugh- 
ter of the Chief Justice. 

The story is told that at the commencement of 
the war, before making his will, Colonel Macdonell 
told Miss Powell that, though he had only a little 
estate to dispose of, about £300 in money, his books, 
papers and personal effects, together with ten acres 
of land on Church Street, Toronto, he wished her 
to have first choice of either the money and effects, 
or the land, for herself; the other part to go to a 
relative. She chose the money and the personalty, 
and the ten acres of land on Church Street went 
to his relative and godson, James Macdonell, 
son of his host, the Hon. Alexander Macdonell, 
Toronto, in whose family the title still remains. 

Colonel Macdonell's father, Colonel Alexander 
Macdonell, commanded the 2nd Battalion, Glen- 
garry Militia, in the war, and two of his brothers 
also had commissions, Duncan Macdonell, as a Cap- 
tain, commanding a company at Ogdensburg 
(under Colonel George Macdonell), and Donald 
Greenfield Macdonell, who also commanded a com- 
pany at Ogdensburg. Duncan, the elder brother, 
succeeded his father as Lieutenant-Colonel, com- 
manding the 2nd Battalion, Glengarry Militia, 
until 1857, when he received the thanks of the Gov- 
ernor-General " for his long and valuable services 
dating from the last war." His son, Lieutenant- 
Colonel Archibald J. Macdonell, was also command- 
ing officer of his grandfather's and father's regi- 

79 



BROCK CENTENNIAL CELEBRATION 

MlrIlt frog, L857 to 1864. He was ■ barrister, and 
a Bencher, and Becorderat Kingston, and formany 
rears a partnerwitb Sir John a. Maedonald, Prime 
Minister ol Canada. His only son is the well- 
known Lient-CoL John a. Macdonell, Alexandria, 
Ontario, now the bead ol the Greenfield tamily, 
w hose patriotic sentimenti and antiquarian tasi 
have often found eloquent and useful expression. 
He Lb a grandnephew ol Colonel llacdonell (Queen- 
st, .11 1 and fifth ol Greenfield. 

Donald Oreenfleld Macdonell, who commanded ■ 
company at Ogdensburg (broker of Colonel Mac- 
donelTQueenston), became D.A.Q.M.G m kbewar, 
*an a Colonel of Militia and Deputy Adjutant Gen- 
era] from L846to L861. Hehad thehonouro lay- 
in- the corner-stone ol the monument to Sir Isaac 
Brocs at Qneenston in L853. Among his grand- 
bom are Donald Oreenfleld Macdonell, barrister, 
Vancouver, heir male, after Lieut-Coi John A. Mac- 
donell, Alexandria, Ontario, and A McLean mac- 
donell K.C.. the well-known barrister ol Toronto. 
The connection ol Mr. A licLean Macdonell, 
K.C., of Toronto, with the War ol 1812 ifl perhaps 
, luiMUt , N(l , only had Lis paternal greatgrand- 
father and three sons, the Macdonells of Greenfield, 
commissions in the War of 1812, as above stated, but 
his maternal greatgrandfather and three sons also 
held commissions in that war, vis., the Honourable 
Neil McLean and Lis three sons: 1st. the Honour- 
able Archibald McLean, afterwards Chiei Justice 
ol rjpper Canada, it is said that when J olonel 
Macdonell fell, McLean was near him, and he called 
out to him: "Help h -»' 1 - **■ 

McLean, afterwards Sheriff ol Kingston; and Srd, 
Colonel Alexander McLean, who shows an excellent 
militaPy record, and whose daughter married John 
Macdonell of Greenfield, Mr. Mclxan Macdonell ■ 
rather. Thus, Mr. McLean Macdonell had two 
great-grandfathers, two grandfathers, and four 

80 



APPENDIX I 

granduncles, all holding important commissions in 
the only war which has vitally threatened Canada. 

The connection between A. Claude Macdonell, 
M.P., Toronto, and Lieutenant-Colonel John Mac- 
donell (Queenston) is by intermarriage in the fam- 
ilies of Aberchalder and Cullachie. The Aberchal- 
ders gave a father, Captain Alexander, and three 
sons, John, Hugh, and Chichester, to the American 
revolutionary war. John was a Captain in Butler's 
Bangers and was the first Speaker of the first 
House of Assembly of Upper Canada, in 1792. 
Hugh was an officer in the King's Royal Regiment 
and in the Royal Canadian Volunteer Regiment. 
He was one of the members for Glengarry in the 
first Legislature of Upper Canada. He afterwards 
served at Gibraltar, and as British Consul-General 
at Algiers. Chichester served in Butler's Rangers, 
and became a colonel in the British army, winning 
distinction at Corunna. 

Allan Macdonell of Cullachie (closely related to 
Aberchalder) was a captain in the 84th Royal 
Highland Emigrant Regiment, and his son, Alex- 
ander, an officer in Butler's Rangers, was prom- 
inent in the military-political life of Upper Canada, 
and at the time of the 1812 war was a colonel of 
Militia and Deputy Postmaster-General. His son, 
Angus Duncan Macdonell, who died in 1894, was 
the father of Mr. Angus Claude Macdonell, M.P. for 
South Toronto. 

When Colonel Macdonell (Queenston) came to 
Toronto as a young man in connection with his 
profession, he resided with his relative, the Honour- 
able Alexander Macdonell, Mr. Claude Macdonell's 
grandfather, and it was from his home he went to 
the front. Needless to say, Colonel Macdonell's 
memory is sacredly cherished among these and 
many others of his kith and kin in Canada, as it is 
indeed by all lovers of the heroic in Canadian 
history. 

81 



APPENDIX II. 
TORONTO GARRISON CHURCH PARADE 

In commemoration of the Centenary of the Death 
of Major-General Sir Isaac Brock at tin- 
Battle of Quccnston Heights 

Massey Hall, Sunday, October 13th, 1912, 3 p.m. 

Malor-General W. H. Cotton. Commanding 

The musical portion <»f the service was rendered 
by the massed bands »>f the garrison under the 
direction of Bandmaster <;. I. Timpson. Queen's 
Own Rifles. 

ORDER OF DIVINE BBBVICB 

Opining Voluntary. 

GRAND PB00BS8I0NAL MARCH 

u The Silver Trumpets' 1 .... Vkwuti 

Band of the Quern's Own Rifles 

1 1 ^ m\. " Soi dikes of < Jhbist, Ajusj " 

Put on tin uhnh armour of Ood 

Soldiers of ( !hrist, arise, 
An<] put j our armour on : 

Strong in the Strength which (iod supplies, 

Through l lis Eternal Eton ; 

Strong in tli«' Lord <>f I Insts. 

And in l Us mighty power; 
Who in the strength of Jeans trusts 
[■ more than conqueror. 

82 



APPENDIX II 

Stand then in His great might, 
With all His strength endued; 

And take to arm you for the fight, 
The panoply of God. 

From strength to strength go on, 

Wrestle, and fight, and pray ; 
Tread all the powers of darkness down, 

And win the well-fought day. 

That having all things done, 

And all your conflicts past, 
Ye may obtain, through Christ alone, 

A crown of joy at last. Amen. 

General Confession 

(To be said by all, standing) 

Almighty and most merciful Father; We have 

erred and strayed from Thy ways like lost sheep. 

We have followed too much the devices and desires 

of our own hearts. We have offended against Thy 

Holy Laws. We have left undone the things which 

we ought to have done; And we have done those 

things which we ought not to have done ; And there 

is no health in us. But Thou, O Lord, have mercy 

upon us, miserable offenders. Spare Thou them, 

O God, which confess their faults. Eestore Thou 

them that are penitent ; according to Thy promises 

declared unto mankind in Christ Jesus our Lord. 

And grant, O most merciful Father, for His sake, 

that we may hereafter live a godly, righteous and 

sober life, To the glory of Thy Holy Name. Amen. 

Prayer for Pardon 

O Almighty God, the Father of our Lord Jesus 
Christ, who desireth not the death of a sinner, but 
rather that he may turn from his wickedness, and 

83 



BBOCE CENTENNIAL OBLEBBATION 

live, panlon ami accept, Wt beseech Thee, all those 

who truly repent and nnfeignedlj believe Thy Holy 
Qonpel Grant us true repentance end Thy Holy 

Spirit ; that those things may please Thee which Wt 

do at tti is | »rcsrnt ; ami that the reel of our lift- here- 
after may be pure and holy; m t hat at the last ire 

may Come to Thy eternal joy; through Jesus Christ 
our Lord. Amen. 



The Lord's Prayer 
Prayer for thk Kind's Ma.jksty 

(All standing) 

O Lord, our Beavenly Father, high and mighty, 

King of kings, Lord of lords, the only Etuler of 
princes, who dost from Thy throne behold all the 

dwellere apon earth; most heartily ire beeeech Thee 
with Thy favor to behold our most gracious Sov- 
ereign Lord, King Qeorge; and so repleniah aim 
with the grace of Thy Holy Spirit, that he may 

alway Incline U) Thy will, and walk in Thy way. 

Endue him plenteously with heavenly gifts; grant 

him in health ami wealth long to live; strengthen 
him that he may vanquish and Overcome all his 

enemies; and finally, after this life, he may attain 
everlasting joy and felicity; through Jesus Christ 
our Lord. Amen. 

Prayer for the Royal FAMILY 

Almighty (rod, the fountain of all goodness. WC 
humbly beseech Thee to blew OUT gracioui Queen 

Mary, Alexandre the Queen .Mother, Edward Prince 

of Wales and all the Royal Family; Lndue them 
with Thy Holy Spirit; enrich them with Thy heav- 
enly grace; prosper them with all happineeej and 

bring them to Thine everlasting kingdom; through 
JeSUI I 'hrist our Lord. Amen. 

84 



APPENDIX II 

Prayer for Soldiers 

Grant, we beseech Thee, Almighty God, that we 
who are called to the service of our Empire, may 
ever remember the honour which we uphold and the 
privilege which is entrusted to us, to defend our 
Sovereign, our homes and our country. Enable us at 
all times to do what is right, and so to conduct our- 
selves, that we may bring no disgrace upon the 
uniform which we wear, nor upon the flag under 
which we serve. Make us faithful, brave and true 
to our duty, and especially to Thee, our God, as 
soldiers of Christ and soldiers of the King. Keep 
us, defend us and save us at all times ; fill our hearts 
with courage and love, and may we never be 
ashamed to confess Thee before men, as good sol- 
diers and servants of Thine. And this we ask for 
the sake of Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. 

Scripture Lesson 

Offertory 

Voluntary 

« In the Chapel " B. Eilenberg 

Band of the Queen's Own Rifles 

SERMON 

By Captain the Rev. Dr. Llwyd, Chaplain to the 
Queen's Own Rifles. 

Hymn, " Stand up for Jesus " 

Quit you like men, be strong 

Stand up, stand up for Jesus, 

Ye soldiers of the Cross; 
Lift high His Royal Banner, 

It must not suffer loss ; 

85 



BROCK CENTENNIAL CELEBRATION 

From victory unto victory 
His army 1 le shall Lead ; 

Till every for is vanquished, 
And < 'hrist jh Lord indeed. 

Stand uj>, stand up for .Jesus, 
The trumpet call obey; 

Forth to the mighty conflict 

In this His glorious day ; 
Ye that are men now serve Him 

Against unnumbered foes; 
Let courage rise with danger, 

And strength to strength oppose. 

Stand up, stand up for desus; 

Stand in His Strength alone; 
The arm of tlesh will fail you. 

Ye dare DOt trust your own; 
Put on the gospel armour, 

And watching unto prayer, 
Where duty calls, or danger, 

Be never wanting there. 

Stand up, stand up for Jesus; 

The strife will not he long; 
This day the noise of battle, 

The next the victors' song; 
To him that overeometh 

A crown of life shall he; 
He with the King of glory 

Shall reign eternally. Amen. 

National Antiikm 

God save our (Jracious King, 
Long live our nohle King, 
God save the King. 

Bend him rictoriona, 

Happy ami glorious, 
Long to reign over us ; 

( ;..,! s;ivc tie- King 
86 



APPENDIX II 

Thy choicest gifts in store, 
On him be pleased to pour ; 
Long may he reign. 
May he defend our laws, 
And ever give us cause 
To sing with heart and voice, 
God save the King. 

Benediction 

Recessional 

The "Priests' March" from "Athalie" - Mendelssohn 
Band of the Queen's Own Rifles 



87 



APPENDIX III. 

INDIAN CONTRIBUTIONS TO THE 

RKCONSTRUCTION OF BROCK'S 

MONUMENT 

(Communicated by the Kditor.) 

Tin: Indignation aroused by the destruction of 

iIm' first monument erected to General Brock was 
fully thared by the Indians <»f ( mtario. Ifeetingi <>f 

tin- Bandl were held :it which expression was given 
to the feelings which stirred their hearts. They 

asked the Government to allow them to Join with 
the White Men In contributing t<> the Fund for the 
reconstruction of the monument] and this baring 
been most cordially granted, a sum amounting t<» 

£207 H's. was raised among the Indians In sums 
varying from n 10s. to £15 and paid over t<» the 

general fund on behalf of t he following Bands: — 

The Ghippewas of the Upper Reserve, on the 
Kiver St. Clair. 

The Chippewas of the Lower Reserve and Wal- 
pole Island, on the River St. Clair. 

The Humus and Wyandotts of Amhersthurg. 

The Chippewafl of the Kiver Thames. 

The Ifnnseee of th<- Biver Thamei 

The ( Mieidas of the Biver Thames. 

The six Nation Indiana of the Grand Kiver 

Tin- liissisagua of the Kiver Credit 

The Chippewas of the Baugeen Kiver, Lake 

Huron. 

The Chippewas of the Township of Kama, Lake 

( Jouchiching. 

The Chippewai Of Snake Island. Lake SimCOe, 
The M a of Alnwick, Bice Lake. 

88 






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APPENDIX III 

The Missisagua of Rice Lake Village, Otonabee; 
and of Mud and Balsam Lakes. 
The Mohawks of the Bay of Quinte. 

The following petition from the Missisagua of 
Rice Lake, shows the spirit in which the Indians 
acted: 

"To Samuel P. Jarvis, Esquire, Chief Superin- 
tendent of Indian Affairs. 

" Father : 

" We have heard of the wicked attempt to destroy 
the Monument of our old Chief, Sir Isaac Brock; 
and are also informed of the intention of the White 
Man to rebuild it. 

" Father : 

" We respect the memory of the brave, and are 
sorry to find that there are any who do not. 

" Some of us fought on the same field on which 
the gallant general fell. We then felt the same 
sorrow in our hearts that our loyal brothers in 
arms, the White Men, felt, and we still unite with 
them in the deepest regret at our common loss. 
These feelings urge us readily to contribute our 
share to the expense of re-building that Monument 
which was designed to perpetuate the fame of such 
noble deeds. 

" Father : 

" We, who are thus ready to assist in the present 
exigency, will never be backward in testifying our 
loyal principles by still more substantial proofs, 
whenever our Great Mother, the Queen, shall lay 
her commands upon us. We will never refuse to 
hear her words. Our Great Fathers, her Royal pre- 
decessors, have been very kind to her people. We 
are not unthankful. We do not wish to be idle ; but 
whenever we may be called upon to defend the 
honour and rights of the British Crown, we will 
most heartily strain every nerve, and do all the 
service in our power. 

89 



BBOCE CENTENNIAL CELEBRATION 
•• Father: 

" \\ e authorise Mm to Subscribe from our monies 

the mm of Fifteen Pounds, In aid <>f the praise- 
worthj work about to be performed J and may the 
blessing of 1 1 1 « > Qreai spirit make it p rosper. 

" Dated at Bice Lake Mission, Otonabee. January 
7. 1841. 

u Qbobgi Pai dabs, Principal Chief 

" John ('row. Chief. 

" John COPOWATj Chief. 

"John Tainciiky, Chief. 

" Bead oret to the ( /Men and signed by them 
in presence of — 

Hknuy ]'.ali>\yin, Jun." 

The generous action of the Indians was much 
appreciated by the British Government and the fol- 
lowing acknowledgment was made by Lord John 
BUBSell, "ii its behalf: — 

" Downing street, 

" 6th May, 1841. 
" No. 37L\ 

"My Lord: 

" I received by the last mail from Canada a 
pamphlet, containing the correspondence, addresses, 
etc, connected with the subscription of various 
Indian Tribes in Upper Canada, in aid of the funds 
for the reconstruction of Sir Isaac Brock's Monu- 
ment on Queenston Heights. 

"The feelings effaced by t lie Indians on this 
occasion are much to their credit. I have to request 
that your Lordship will Convey to them the thanks 
of the British Government and nation for their 
■ealOUS eo operation, and renew to them the assur- 

ances of the Queen's regard for their welfare. 

• I have, etc., 

" (Signed ) J. Rrssii.i.. 

Phe Bight Honourable Lord Bydenham. M 

90 



APPENDIX IV. 



MEETINGS OF THE EXECUTIVE 
COMMITTEE 



A meeting of the Executive Committee of the 
Brock Centenary was held on the 16th October, 
1912, there being present : Col. Ryerson, Dr. James 
L. Hughes, Dr. Alexander Fraser, Mr. C. E. Mac- 
donald, Mr. F. D. L. Smith, and Miss Helen M. 
Merrill, Secretary. 

It was resolved : — 

That the thanks of the Committee be conveyed to 
the Eight Honourable R. L. Borden, Prime Minis- 
ter of Canada, and his Government for the military 
arrangements that had been made in connection 
with the celebration of the Centenary ; and to the 
Honourable Dr. Pyne, Minister of Education of 
Ontario, for so cheerfully complying with all the 
suggestions made by the Committee with respect to 
the holding of patriotic exercises in the public 
schools. 

That the publication of the Account of the Cen- 
tenary celebration be proceeded with; and that 
Dr. Alexander Fraser (Chairman), Col. Ryerson, 
Mr. F. D. L. Smith, and Miss Helen M. Merrill be 
the Publication Committee in this matter. 

That all the correspondence and papers in con- 
nection with the Centenary be deposited in the 
Ontario Archives, Toronto. 

That the proposal to place a bronze tablet, com- 
memorative of the Centenary, on Brock's monu- 
ment at Queenston Heights be brought before the 
co-operating societies, and that action be taken in 
accordance with their opinion. 

91 



BBOGK CENTENNIAL OBLEBBATIOB 

That the striking of a Centennial medal be left 
in al'rvaiicc in the meantime. 

At a meeting of the BxecntiYe < /ommlttee held on 
the 86th «»f October, i!U2, CoL Byenon presiding 

the suitjt'ct of publication of the Centenary volume 

W9M inimitt'ly (listuss.d. It was Agreed tliat Dr. 

Alexander Fraeer ihonld edit the Ms. for the press 
ami that the work be proceeded with. 



92 




( All AIN IOSF I'll HIKM- V 



APPENDIX V 

CAPTAIN JOSEPH BIRNEY 

Contributed by J. L. Birney, Toronto, Son of Captain 

Joseph Birney, from whose Narrative these 

Statements have been Compiled. 

Captain Birney was born in Orange County, 
in the State of New York, on the 1st of February, 
1777. 

In 1779 his father, William Birney, was killed at 
the battle of Lackawack, New York, in suppressing 
an Indian uprising, and upon their bereavement 
his mother, with his sister, a child in arms, and 
himself a child two years old, made her way 
through the forest, sixty miles, to New York City. 
In the year 1783 or 1784 he was baptized in Trinity 
Church, New York City. When the British evacu- 
ated New York, Captain Birney, with his family 
and friends, went with the British to where now 
is situated St. John, New Brunswick, and resided 
there until 1801, when he came to Upper Canada, 
and settled where Hamilton is to-day. While in 
New Brunswick he taught the Duke of Kent to 
skate, both of them often practising together on 
St. John's River. 

In Upper Canada Captain Birney entered into the 
military life of the time. He was over six feet in 
height, powerfully built, and was well fitted for 
the stirring life then before him. 

In 1812 he was Ensign in Captain Hatt's com- 
pany, which accompanied Sir Isaac Brock to 
Detroit, and his commission as Ensign, signed by 
Sir Isaac Brock, is now in possession of his son, 
John L. Birney, of Toronto. Captain Birney was 
present when General Brock first met Tecumseh, 

93 



APPENDIX v 

;unl in- often related how the ( taneral was Impressed 
with the \\ r onderful personalis "f the great chief. 

As Lieutenant heserred In Captain Durand'a com* 
pany of r.iii Lincoln Militia at tin- Battle <»f Queen* 
Bton Heights. He was attached to Brock's staff 
as n special aide, to superviae the laying <>f the 
batteries. Shortly before 1 1 » « - t Sanadiana were 
driven from the heights, General Brock found that 
in firing at the Americana who were coming across 

the river the bullets weiv flying short, ami he i:ave 

the order to Colonel Williams to cease firing, but 

Colonel Williams, mistaking the Order DO mean 

" ret Ire," began i«» retire by Niagara, sir Isaac 
remarked, "Thai's effective," but Captain Birney, 
noticing Colonel Williams' movement, remarked, 
•■ But, General, yon <ii<l m>t mean bo retire!" " By 
no means," answered Sir Isaac "Oh, for one to 
bring theim back!" "May I go?" offered Birney. 
" By all means go, Birney," ordered the General, 
whereupon Captain Birney ran down tin- steep 
slope of the heights as fa si as he could. < >n the way 
down he noticed the mullein stalks being cut off, 

and Stepping on B Blipperv >|><»t he fell violently on 

the broad of his hack. 

At this he heard s great cheer, and looking 
lift saw the cause of it all. The Americana were 

in possessn i a portion <>f the heights, and their 

aharpahootera, t hinking they had succeeded In Inter- 
cepting him in hi^ errand, had set up s cheer, but 
Birney was soon afoot, and came up with Colonel 
Williams, who upon seeing Birney, called his men 
to halt, and enquired, u What's the matter, Birney? 
Orders from the General?" Birney, being entirely 
out of breath, from his efforts and fall, could no! 
answer, and Colonel Williams further enquired, 
u Did the Genera] not order ns to retira? w Birney 

Shook his head. " What, then.?" Baked Colonel Wil- 
liams. " To erase firing," Birney managed to whis- 
per. At this the ( 'oioiit-i uttered an oath and smote 
himself a terrific blow <>n the forehead wi*h his fist 

94 



APPENDIX V 

They had not returned far when they heard a voice 
say " Halt !" and looking up they saw the General 
and his men, they having been driven from the sum- 
mit. There was a short conference, when the Gen- 
eral decided to go around by St. David's and there 
attack the enemy. But they had not gone far when 
Biruey, who was immediately behind the General, 
heard a groan, and looking up saw the General 
falling from his horse, and, rushing forward, he 
assisted him to the ground. With a few parting 
orders the General was dead. 

After this Biruey had to take command of his 
own company, and with the rest they fell in order 
and marched around the mountain by St. David's 
and there surprised the Americans eating their 
(the Canadians') breakfast, as the Americans had 
surprised them earlier in the morning. And then 
commenced the real fighting of the day. The 
Americans after a hand-to-hand fight were charged 
and driven out, many of them being forced over 
the heights into Niagara River. Captain Birney 
used to remark that with his sword in one hand 
and a broken gunbarrel in the other he led his 
men in this charge, and it was a sorry day for any 
American who came within his reach. Among the 
many prisoners Captain Birney assisted in captur- 
ing that day was his cousin, Captain Winfield 
Scott, afterwards General Scott, who, after being 
taken to York, was exchanged for prisoners. 

Captain Birney led his company, the 5th Lincoln, 
in the battle of Lundy's Lane in 1814, coming out 
of it, as he did in all his engagements, without a 
scratch. 

He used to take pleasure in relating how, after 
the Americans had been badly beaten and had made 
a hasty retreat, leaving their men to be buried, 
there was left behind a lone gunner who stuck to 
his cannon. Birney and a number of his men 
marched down upon this man for the purpose of 
capturing the gun, and as they approached him, 

95 



APPENDIX V 

three timet <ii<i this gunner swing his torch with 
the purpose of firing his gun, but ench time he 
drew back from the fuse ami finally threw his 
torch upon the ground. Birney said it was well 
lie did, m he end many of his men would not 
have iiv<d to tell the tale, as they were walking 

din>ctl\ in the face of the cannon. He also took 
pride In telling how one Canadian cannon was 
taken and retaken many times that night, while 
lying in heaps around it were Canadians and 
American! who had fought and died bravely. 
When the Rebellion of lS.'iT broke out Captain 

Birney waa ti blest officer surviving the tronblea 

of 1812-14. Being at that time over age he did 
m>t wish to take any pari in the fighting, feeling 
he bad served his country well and sufficiently up 
to that time, and he felt in addition that through 
favoritism many who had served under him had 
been promoted over his head. However, through 

the persona] efforta of Sir Allan IfcNab and Col- 
onel Land he was persuaded to take command 
of a company <>f the 3rd Core .Militia, which DOSl 
he held until about 1841, being actively engaged 

in military alTairs during all that period. 

Some of his work at this time was the building 

Of the bridge for the troops to cross the water-gap 

at Burlington Heights, ami he also was engaged 
in constructing the defence works on Burlington 

Beighti during the battle of Stoney Creek for use 
in case of retreat. He was afterwards with his 
Company in charge of the 11- prisoners who were 
held and tried at Hamilton. 

When Captain Birney died, In 1 s ".'*, being In his 
96th year, he was the oldest living Mason In < Sanada, 
baring joined the Craft in 1803. 



96 



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